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pregnant on topiramate
Tue, 01/30/2007 - 14:53Topic: Women With Epilepsy
I am currently 19 weeks pregnant and am taking 100mg of Topiramate(Topamax) per day and 5mg of folic acid. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 19 and up until the age of 33 last year I was taking 1000mg of epilim per day and had had my epilepsy under full control for 12 years. I attended pre-conception counselling prior to becoming pregnant and during this time my neurologist tried to switch me over to a safer pregnancy AED, Lamictal (which I had terrible side effcts with). I then tried to go drug free which resulted in my first TC seizure in 12 years and the loss of my driving licence for 12 months. Now I'm on Topiramate, happy to be pregnant and seizure free but also very worried about the effect of this drug on my baby and the lack of studies there are out there relating to this drug. I had to weigh up my risks of seizure against the risks of AED on my baby and that is why I took the difficult decision to start the Topiramate after my TC. I have my ultrasound in one week and am very nervous. Would love to hear from anyone who has had pregnancies whilst on this drug or from anyone in a similar situation to myself. I've joined the pregnancy and epilepsy register so hopefully I can help future mums out there!
Re: pregnant on topiramate
Submitted by natalya on Mon, 2007-03-05 - 00:20
Hi, Congratulations your pregnancy! Did you already see the baby:))?Topamax and Lamictal are newer medications for epilepsy but there are not enough clinical studies yet. One is for sure they are better then prehistoric Depakote....I am switching to Topamax myself right now. Not a very easy process. After a complete switch hopefully i will be controlled by this medication and next year i can plan for a baby. I have grand mals and don't know if i can't be med free 1st trimester. Good luck to you! Visit high risk ob and check homocysteine level. Stay in touch! Natalya.