Safety of levetiracetam in pregnancy and lactation: a systematic review.

Thomas, Binny; Pallivalapila, Abdulrouf; Al Hail, Moza; Kassem, Wessam El; Al Saad, Doua; Tarannum, Asma; MacLure, Katie; Stewart, Derek C.

Abstract

Most women with active seizures are often encouraged to continue their antiepileptic medications during pregnancy to avoid serious fetal or maternal complications. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a newer antiepileptic drug used as adjunctive therapy in patients with refractory partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. Because of its broad-spectrum activity, LEV is becoming increasingly used in women with epilepsy of childbearing potential, during pregnancy and thus also during lactation. First generation anti-epileptics are known to cause Major Congenital Malformations (MCM) and developmental problems. However, there is paucity of literature on information regarding safety of Levetiracetam (second generation), use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. The purpose of the present study was to summarize the scientific evidence behind use of LEV during pregnancy and lactation.

Citation

THOMAS, B., ROUF, A., AL HAIL, M.S., ELKASSEM, W.M., ALSAAD, D., TARANNUM, A., MACLURE, K. and STEWART, D. 2016. Safety of levetiracetam in pregnancy and lactation: a systematic review. Presented at the 9th Medication safety conference, 4-6 November 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: 9th Medication safety conference
• Conference Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Start Date: Nov 4, 2016
• End Date: Nov 6, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 19, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: May 19, 2017
• Keywords: Seizures; Pregnancy; Antiepileptic drugs; Levetiracetam; Breastfeeding; Safety; Epilepsy
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2324