Is it safe to take levetiracetam while pregnant?
Levetiracetam (LEV) is one such AED which is supposed to be effective in controlling seizures during pregnancy and relatively free of teratogenic side effects.
Can levetiracetam cause birth defects?
Around 2,500 babies exposed to levetiracetam during pregnancy have been studied in total and, overall, there is no concern of a link with birth defects.
Does Keppra affect fertility?
Highlights. Levetiracetam treatment does not alter sex hormone levels in epilepsy patients. Levetiracetam decreases sperm count, sperm morphology and sperm functionality. The effects of levetiracetam suggest peripheral organ involvement.
Does seizure medication affect pregnancy?
Medication you take during pregnancy can affect your baby. Birth defects — including cleft palate, neural tube defects, skeletal abnormalities, and congenital heart and urinary tract defects — are a few potential side effects associated with anti-seizure medications.
What pregnancy category is Keppra?
US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Which epilepsy drugs are safest in pregnancy?
A review of the risks of major congenital malformations and of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes for antiepileptic drugs by the Commission on Human Medicines has confirmed that lamotrigine (Lamictal) and levetiracetam (Keppra) are the safer of the medicines reviewed during pregnancy.
What seizure meds are safe in pregnancy?
Of the new anti-seizure medications, lamotrigine and levetiracetam are the most widely used due to their known safety during pregnancy. Clearance of lamotrigine and levetiracetam doubles during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy.
Is it harder to get pregnant if you have epilepsy?
Getting Pregnant With Epilepsy It’s possible that having epilepsy may make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. Women with epilepsy have fewer children than women in general. Their fertility rate is between 25% and 33% lower than average.
Does epilepsy cause high risk pregnancy?
These generalized seizures (especially tonic-clonic ones) carry more risk to both mother and baby. These risks include trauma from falls or burns, increased risk of premature labor, miscarriages, and lowering of the fetal heart rate. Getting and keeping good seizure control during pregnancy is crucial.
Does Keppra deplete folic acid?
Conclusions: Treatment with levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy has no effect on the serum levels concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate.
Can you have a healthy baby if you have epilepsy?
Fortunately, most women with epilepsy give birth to normal, healthy babies. If you take precautions, your chance of having a healthy child is greater than 90%. There are increased risks. But working closely with your doctor can help minimize those risks.
Can I breastfeed while taking Keppra?
Given these considerations, the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise that women with epilepsy taking AEDs or seizure medications can breastfeed.
Do seizure meds affect fertility?
The study found that women with epilepsy are more than twice as likely to be infertile than women without the condition. And women who take three or more anti-seizure medications are 18 times more likely to be infertile than women who don’t take any epilepsy drugs.
Is it safe to have a baby when you have epilepsy?
What vitamin helps with Keppra?
Daily pyridoxine (vitamin B6) was found to be an effective treatment for the behavioral adverse effects seen with the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, according to a poster presented at the AES Annual Meeting 2017.
What vitamins help epileptics?
Nutrients that may reduce seizure frequency include vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, manganese, taurine, dimethylglycine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
What category is Keppra in pregnancy?
What epilepsy medications are safe during pregnancy?
Can epilepsy cause birth defects?
Does Keppra affect folic acid?
No interactions were found between folic acid and Keppra XR. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
What foods affect Keppra?
Generally, Keppra does not interact negatively with any foods. Unless your physician tells you otherwise, you should be able to continue eating normally while taking this drug. Alcohol should be avoided.
Can pregnancy trigger seizures?
Pregnancy does not cause epilepsy. But a pregnant woman who has epilepsy may have seizures more often. This may be because medicines to treat epilepsy can work differently during pregnancy. They may not be absorbed as well.