Levetiracetam in pregnancy: preliminary experience from the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register

Neurology. 2006 Nov 28;67(10):1876-9. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000244491.48937.55.

Abstract

It is not known whether the antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam can be used safely in human pregnancy. As part of a study to determine the risks of major congenital malformations (MCMs) for infants exposed to AEDs in utero, we identified all cases exposed to levetiracetam. Three of 117 exposed pregnancies had an MCM (2.7%; 95% CI 0.9% to 7.7%); all 3 were exposed to other AEDs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Body Weight / physiology
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight / physiology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam / adverse effects
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / epidemiology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam