New Research from the CWMH: Risk of Major Malformations in Infants with Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines
Data from an ongoing pregnancy registry offers reassurance that benzodiazepines do not appear to have major teratogenic effects.
Essential Reads: Topiramate and Pregnancy (2021)
Multiple studies have associated first trimester exposure to topiramate with increased risk of oral clefts.
Prescription Opioids During Pregnancy and Risk for Major Malformations
Previous studies have suggested a link between opioid exposure during pregnancy and increased risk of certain major malformations, including neural tube defects. A recent study from Bateman and colleagues assesses the risk of major malformation [...]
Higher Doses of Topiramate (Topamax) During Pregnancy, Increased Risk of Oral Clefts
Topiramate (TPM, marketed as Topamax) is an antiepileptic drug which is also used for migraine prophylaxis, weight loss, and, less commonly, as a mood stabilizer. Over the last few years we have seen several studies [...]
Prenatal Exposure to Benzodiazepines and Sedative-Hypnotics
Over the last decade, we have seen multiple studies looking at the long term effects of prenatal exposure to antidepressants, particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, on children's behavior. Although benzodiazepines, such as [...]
Lamotrigine and Pregnancy: New Study, No Significant Increase in Risk of Oral Clefts
The anticonvulsant lamotrigine (Lamictal) is being used with increasing regularity for the treatment of women with bipolar disorder. Back in 2006, we reported on preliminary data indicating an increased risk of oral clefts among infants [...]
New Data on Anxiety Medications and Pregnancy
Benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics are commonly used during pregnancy. However, there data regarding the reproductive safety of these agents has been somewhat mixed. Although initial reports suggested that there may be an increased risk of cleft lip and palate, more recent reports have shown no association between exposure to benzodiazepines and risk for cleft lip or palate. A new study shows no increase in the overall risk of malformations among children exposed to benzodiazepines.
More on Topiramate (Topamax) and Risk of Oral Clefts
Earlier this year we reported on a possible association between first trimester exposure to topiramate (Topamax) and increased risk of cleft lip and palate. In a recent study published by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, researches drew upon data from two birth defect databases to further delineate the risks associated with topiramate exposure.
Benzodiazepines and Pregnancy
The following post was written in 2001. The inforamiton has not changed considerably, but here are some more recent articles on this topic: