While data are limited regarding AEDs and breastfeeding, it appears that none of the AEDs are excreted at high levels into the breast milk, nor have they been associated with high rates of adverse events in the nursing infant.
Prenatal exposure to valproic acid was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in exposed children.
These findings are encouraging and suggest that the newer AEDs, specifically lamotrigine and levetiracetam, are not associated with worse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Multiple studies have associated first trimester exposure to topiramate with increased risk of oral clefts.
Prenatal exposure to valproate has been associated with an elevated risk (10%) for a broad range of congenital malformations including neural tube defects, as well as adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae, including lower IQ and developmental delays [...]
For women with bipolar disorder, choosing whether to maintain or discontinue treatment with a mood stabilizer during pregnancy is challenging. This is a process which requires careful and thoughtful consideration, weighing the risk of adverse [...]
While we have considerable information regarding the teratogenic risk associated with prenatal exposure to various antiepileptic (AED) drugs, we have less impact on exposure to AEDs on behavior outcomes in children. Several studies have shown [...]
There have long been concerns regarding the safety of the anticonvulsant valproic acid (Depakote) during pregnancy. Â Back in 2009, the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society recommended against the use of valproic acid [...]
Pregabalin (marketed in the US as Lyrica) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. Â It is also used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders, most [...]
For clinicians who have not yet discovered the incredibly thoughtful and clinically practical monthly articles from Chittaranjan Andrade in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, it’s time to take a look.  (Not only are these articles [...]
