Topiramate (Topamax) in Pregnancy May Affect Fetal Growth
This is a paper I missed from 2014, but I think this study adds some important information to the review we posted on topiramate a few weeks ago.
Clinical Update: Use of Topiramate (Topamax) During Pregnancy
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 suggesting an increased risk of oral clefts in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy. You can read more about those studies here:
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.
From the North American AED Pregnancy Registry: The Newer Anticonvulsants Appear to Be Safer
While it is well-established that several of the older anticonvulsants, including valproate (Depakote), carry a significant teratogenic risk, less is known about the reproductive safety of the newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The North American AED Pregnancy Registry was established in 1997 for pregnant women in the United States and Canada at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The purpose of the registry is to obtain and publish information on the frequency of major malformations among infants whose mothers have taken one or more AEDs during pregnancy.