Risk of Malformations

Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy: The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly

EURAP is an international registry for antiepileptic drugs and pregnancy.  At its inception in 1999, it included only European countries but EURAP has grown and now includes 42 countries from Europe, Australia, Asia, South America. [...]

By |2025-06-26T09:07:47-04:00May 1st, 2018|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy: The Good,The Bad, and The Ugly

Neural Tube Defects and Low Carb Diets During Pregnancy

  Because folate deficiency in pregnant women has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects, including anencephaly and spina bifida, it is recommended that all women take folic acid supplements during pregnancy. [...]

By |2018-09-10T12:34:32-04:00February 21st, 2018|Psychiatric Disorders During Pregnancy, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Neural Tube Defects and Low Carb Diets During Pregnancy

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 [...]

By |2018-01-09T11:32:37-04:00January 9th, 2018|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Higher Doses of Topiramate (Topamax) During Pregnancy, Increased Risk of Oral Clefts

Good News: More Data on the Use of ADHD Medications During Pregnancy

For women with mild to moderate attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, we often recommend discontinuing stimulant medications and switching to a non-pharmacologic intervention.  Many women experience some decrease in their level of functioning; however, they are [...]

By |2019-10-15T15:57:57-04:00December 22nd, 2017|ADHD Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Good News: More Data on the Use of ADHD Medications During Pregnancy

France Bans the Use of Valproic Acid in Some Women of Childbearing Age

There have long been concerns regarding the safety of the anticonvulsant valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy.  Back in 2009, the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society recommended against the use of valproic acid in [...]

By |2017-08-11T08:57:58-04:00August 7th, 2017|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on France Bans the Use of Valproic Acid in Some Women of Childbearing Age

New Research from the CWMH: Lithium During Pregnancy and Risk of Cardiovascular Malformations

  While we use lithium less commonly now than we have in the past, lithium is still one of the very best mood stabilizers we have.  And with regard to its reproductive safety, we have [...]

By |2025-06-26T09:07:52-04:00June 19th, 2017|Mood Stabilizers, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Research at CWMH, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on New Research from the CWMH: Lithium During Pregnancy and Risk of Cardiovascular Malformations

Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and Pregnancy: Do We Have Enough Information?

  Last week in clinical rounds we discussed a case of a woman with bipolar disorder who was planning a pregnancy.  She had a long history of illness, experiencing primarily depressive episodes since her early [...]

By |2025-06-26T09:07:54-04:00June 7th, 2017|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) and Pregnancy: Do We Have Enough Information?

Why Are We Still Using Valproic Acid (Depakote) in Women of Childbearing Age?

  There have long been concerns regarding the use of the anticonvulsant valproate (Depakote) during pregnancy.  First trimester use of valproate has been associated with a 3-5% risk of neural tube defects, as well as [...]

By |2020-11-26T08:28:56-04:00May 22nd, 2017|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Why Are We Still Using Valproic Acid (Depakote) in Women of Childbearing Age?

Lamotrigine and Pregnancy: Meta-Analysis Shows No Increase in Risk for Malformations

  Maintenance treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of relapse in women with bipolar disorder; however, many of the mood stabilizers commonly used in this setting, including lithium and [...]

By |2025-06-26T09:07:02-04:00May 8th, 2017|Anti-Epileptic Drugs, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on Lamotrigine and Pregnancy: Meta-Analysis Shows No Increase in Risk for Malformations

In Brief: Beta Blockers and Pregnancy, No Observed Increase in Risk of Malformations

Beta blockers are the most commonly used class of medication for treating cardiac conditions in pregnant women.  They are also effective for the treatment of anxiety symptoms, most commonly performance anxiety. According to a report [...]

By |2017-05-04T15:29:30-04:00May 4th, 2017|Anti-Anxiety Medications, Outcomes, Pregnancy & Medications, Risk of Malformations|Comments Off on In Brief: Beta Blockers and Pregnancy, No Observed Increase in Risk of Malformations
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