Epilepsy medication while trying to conceive

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes repeated seizures. There are many types of epilepsy and these may have different symptoms and levels of severity. Women with epilepsy who want to try to conceive must take particular care when choosing how to treat the condition because some medications may increase the risk of congenital malformations. Some anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid, are associated with a higher risk of congenital malformations than other medications. It may therefore be necessary for women who wish to fall pregnant to switch to another anticonvulsant or take a lower dose. This must only ever be done under medical supervision.

Since epilepsy could also increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, proper treatment and close monitoring by a neurologist and gynaecologist are strongly recommended.

Causes of epilepsy

Epilepsy can have various causes that often occur in combination. Some of the most common causes include:

• Genetic factors: Some types of epilepsy may be caused by inherited genes that increase the risk of experiencing epileptic seizures.
• Brain injuries: Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, brain haemorrhages or stroke can impair the structure and function of the brain and lead to the development of epilepsy.
• Infections: Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis can have an impact on the brain and cause epilepsy.
• Brain tumours: Tumours in the brain may trigger epileptic seizures.
• Metabolic disorders: Metabolic disorders such as diabetes or an electrolyte imbalance may cause epileptic seizures.
• Medication or drugs: Some medications or drugs may trigger epileptic seizures or increase the risk of developing epilepsy.

Using medication to treat epilepsy while trying to conceive

It is important to continue treating epilepsy with medication while trying to conceive. Epilepsy can be treated using a range of different medications or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medications are while trying to conceive:

• Oxcarbazepine (Apydan)
• Brivaracetam (Briviact)
• Midazolam (Buccolam)
• Clobazam (Clobazam Syri Pharma)
• Clonazepam (Clonazepam-Neuraxpharm, Rivotril)
• Stiripentol (Diacomit)
• Valproic acid (Ergenyl, Orfiril)
• Ethosuximide (Ethosuximid-Neuraxpharm)
• Fenfluramine (Fintepla)
• Perampanel (Fycompa)
• Gabapentin (GabaLiquid GeriaSan, Neurontin)
• Rufinamide (Inovelon)
• Levetiracetam (Keppra, Levetiracetam Desitin)
• Vigabatrin (Kigabeq, Sabril)
• Lacosamide (Lacosamid Desitin, Lacosamid UCB, Vimpat)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal, Lamotrigin Desitin)
• Phenobarbital (Luminaletten)
• Pregabalin (Lyrica)
• Cenobamate (Ontozry)
• Sultiame (Ospolot)
• Mesuximide (Petinutin)
• Ethosuximide (Petnidan)
• Phenytoin (Phenhydan)
• Felbamate (Taloxa)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Timonil)
• Oxcarbazepine (Timox, Trileptal)
• Topiramate (Topamax)
• Eslicarbazepine (Zebinix)
• Zonisamide (Zonegran, Zonisol)

Risks of epilepsy medication while trying to conceive

Women with epilepsy who would like to fall pregnant need to consider a number of important factors. Some epilepsy medicines (e.g. valproic acid, carbamazepine and topiramate) increase the risk of congenital malformations when taken during pregnancy. Women with epilepsy who want to conceive are therefore strongly recommended to seek advice on their medication and to talk to their neurologist and possibly consider a different treatment option.

Find out whether your epilepsy medication is safe while you are trying to conceive

You are just 3 simple steps away from your personal consultation

At home – no visit to the doctor – no hassle

Book

Choose the type of consultation and book an appointment online.

Tell us about yourself

Answer a few questions about your situation and tell us which medicines you need advice about.

Receive advice

Receive personalised advice about the safety of your medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Book a consultation now