Research has shown that there is an increased risk of your child not developing normally if you take some types of AED during pregnancy. Click the links to below to find out more:
These medicines may cause problems such as spina bifida, cleft lip or heart abnormalities. They may also give your baby a higher chance of brain development problems, such as a delay in developing speech and language, and problems with memory and attention.
To reduce these risks, talk to a GP or neurologist about your medicines before you get pregnant or if you're planning to get pregnant. They may want to switch you to an alternative treatment. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam are safer medicines to take in pregnancy.
It's usually better to make any changes to your medicine before rather than during pregnancy.
If you get pregnant while you're taking an anti-epileptic drugs, continue to take it and contact your GP or neurologist immediately to discuss your treatment.
Do not change your treatment or stop taking your medicine without specialist advice, especially during pregnancy. This is because a severe seizure in pregnancy could result in harm or injury to you or your baby.