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22 Jul 2008
Taking the epilepsy medication topiramate, either on its own or together with other epilepsy drugs during pregnancy, could increase the risk of birth defects, a new study suggests.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that topiramate increases the risk of birth defects in animals, but continuing effective epilepsy treatment while pregnant is important as seizures may also cause harm to the foetus.
The study showed that babies born to mothers taking the drug for epilepsy during pregnancy were 11 times more likely to have cleft palates or cleft lips than those born to women not taking the medication.
In response to the findings, researcher John Craig, from the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast, Northern Ireland warned: "These results should also get the attention of women with migraine and their doctors, since topiramate is also used for preventing migraine, which is an even more common condition that also occurs frequently in women of childbearing age."
According to the World Health Organisation, with appropriate treatment more than three quarters of people with epilepsy can lead normal lives.
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