Medical experts claim that the drug Lamictal can cause damages to the fetus if the dosage amounts exceed a certain limit, which can vary from one pregnant woman to the other. The Food and Drug Administration, USA (FDA) has categorized Lamictal as a drug that has the potential of causing damage to pregnant women but may be cautiously taken in controlled dosages till the benefits provided by medicine outweighs the damage or side effects to a considerable extent.
Pertaining to Lamictal medication, it is important to understand how much of the medication dosage is fine for you. It has been studied that the birth defects occur due to an intake of Lamictal in case the woman is on one anti epileptic drug (AEP) already. The chances of birth defects due to Lamictal increases with occurrence of past birth defects in the family as well. Therefore this is an important factor to remember when you are beginning Lamictal medication and is to mention all about your family history pertaining to births and about planning your own pregnancy. Damage to fetus can be controlled by regulating the dosage amounts which need to be consulted with a well reputed medical professional. The main fear of Lamictal medication during pregnancy is about the medication ingredients affecting the fetus
Facts and tips about Lamictal medication during pregnancy
1.Someone planning pregnancy should know the effects of Lamictal during pregnancy and infer about the possible risks depending on various health conditions which should imperatively be tested and verified before medication of the drug. However, Lamictal is classified as a pregnancy category C drug implying its usage can have benefits to outweigh fetal damages if taken in controlled dosages. It has been found in tests on animals that fetal damages can be severe.
2.Folic acid is a compound to compensate the chances of birth defects in women who are on Lamictal medication. An advised dosage of 0.4 mg is the minimum that conditions of pregnancy demand to prevent a typical birth defect known as the neural tube defect. This is a side effect of Lamictal that results in an open spinal cord in the baby. A woman with a bad history of birth defects in the family may be advised to take up to 4 mg of folic acid daily. The effectiveness of folic acid is yet to be confirmed, which is why a doctor would recommend ultrasound check ups after 18 or 20 weeks into pregnancy.
3.Seizures are common in about pregnant women due to hormonal changes in the body. These hormonal changes bring about a variation in the levels of Lamictal in the blood, which in turn can affect the fetus gravely. Seizures being common for 30 – 40 percent of pregnant women, the blood levels of Lamictal need to be monitored all through the medication course to prevent chances of birth defects. In cases of a protocol deviation, it is advisable to continue the required dosage of Lamictal along with an increased dosage of folic acid as recommended by the physician.
4.It is important the risks and benefits are assessed by a reputed physician before prescribing the dosage amounts. The possible risks can vary from one woman to another. A medical history of all diseases and drugs needs to be revealed to any physician you have chosen to treat you with Lamictal. The Lamictal Pregnancy Exposure Registry is also a good source of information on Lamictal medication during pregnancy. Usually a physician would transfer the health details to the agency that will have their prescribed protocol to help decide your medication method.
5.Breast feeding is an important part concerning the possibilities of Lamictal treatment during pregnancy. Traces of Lamictal in the blood are dangerous for a new born baby. Lamictal is a drug that is not usable by children below 12. Hence, it is important that you plan your pregnancy in a way that Lamictal dosages will not interfere with healthy breast feeding. Breast feeding is an important phase in any baby’s development and cannot be substituted or tampered with.
6.The birth defects are seen to occur in a minority of the instances that do not go above 1 percent. In studies where more than 500 women received lamictal dosages, there were about 5 instances of an isolated cleft lip or palate in the babies. The chances of side effects are nevertheless more in pregnant women than in men or women who are not pregnant as most of the hazards have to do with the fetus and not the woman’s disease itself. However, indirect effects like hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy can decrease lamotrigine levels.
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