ObjectiveTo discuss the risk of abortion related to lamotrigine (LTG) and its safety profile during pregnancy.
MethodsRetrospectively studied pregnant women in our epilepsy clinics who took LTG from 2011 to 2015 as monotherapy and experienced embryo damage or abortion. Here, we present an extensive review of related literatures regarding possible mechanisms, clinical features and safty of LTG during pregnancy.
ResultsIn our study, fourty-five pregnancies were administered monotherapy LTG, and three of these patients suffered embryo damage.
ConclusionsAlthough LTG is considered safe for pregnant women and the embryo or fetus,it also has risk of embryo damage or abortion, which should be carefully considered before prescription. Using monotherapy and the lowest effective drug dose, monitoring LTG serum concentrations during pregnancy, supplementing folate administration before and after conception and conducting regular prenatal diagnostic tests might reduce the risk of abortion.
