Taking Lamictal While Youre Pregnant

Taking Lamictal While You're Pregnant Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Safely Taking Lamictal While Pregnant or Breastfeeding By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 14, 2020 Bogdan Kosanovic/E/Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis Is Lamictal safe during pregnancy? Is it, or the generic lamotrigine, safe during breastfeeding? Does Lamictal cause birth defects? While there is not enough data to answer these questions conclusively, researchers have been able to gather enough information to issue guidelines. During Pregnancy Thus far, Lamictal has not been shown to cause any significant increases in birth defects overall.?? Some data shows that there is an increased risk of cleft lip and palate malformations, but other data does not.?? The FDA-approved prescribing information says that lamotrigine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. The potential benefit is generally the mothers mental health condition. In a 2009 article, Dr. Ruta M. Nonacs points out that many women with bipolar disorder may require a mood stabilizer during pregnancy.?? The alternatives to Lamictal, she says, may carry  even greater risks. Depakote, for example, carries a 10% risk of birth defects, some very serious, and Topamax carries a strong warning about the risk of cleft lip and palate malformations. Tegretol (carbamazepine), Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) and Lithium are also classed as being more likely than Lamictal to be dangerous to a fetus.?? Anti-epileptic drugs in the same pregnancy class as Lamictal are:?? Keppra (levetiracetam)Gabitril (tiagabine)Neurontin (gabapentin)Topamax (topiramate) Lamictal and the other drugs listed above is in 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.?? For Lamictal, animal studies did not show a great deal  of danger to fetuses, but there was enough concern to warrant the drugs assignment to Category C. While Breastfeeding Lamictal does pass into breast milk, and the prescribing information says breastfeeding while taking Lamictal or lamotrigine (in any form) is not recommended.?? However, reports of breastfed infants whose mothers are taking lamotrigine having problems are uncommon. If you do choose to breastfeed your infant while taking Lamictal, your infant should be closely monitored for side effects such as interrupted breathing, rash, drowsiness or poor sucking.?? If any infant rash occurs, breastfeeding should be discontinued until the cause can be established. This is because Lamictal is associated with dangerous rashes. Have the infants rash evaluated promptly.