Podcast 122: Most newer antiepileptics apparently safer in early pregnancy — but not all.

May 19th, 2011

Podcast 122: Most newer antiepileptics apparently safer in early pregnancy — but not all.

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A paper from Denmark looks at five newer-generation antiepileptics and finds no strong birth-defects signal associated with their use in the first trimester. However, as the senior author points out in a statement to Clinical Conversations, one of the drugs — topiramate — has only recently been cited by the FDA as carrying a risk for cleft lip and palate, and the JAMA study did not look specifically for that complication.

Dr. Danielle Scheurer and Joe Elia talk about the study and read the author’s statement, sent via email (the authors — epidemiologists — respectfully declined an interview regarding clinical matters).

Links:

Abstract of the JAMA study (free)
FDA MedWatch warning on topiramate (free)
U.K. study of 200 cases of topiramate exposure in Neurology (free abstract)
FDA statement on topiramate as Pregnancy Category D (free)

Categories: Anti-epileptic drugs, Audio, topiramate, Uncategorized
Tags: Anders Hviid, antiepileptic drugs, birth defects, epilepsy; pregnancy, FDA, topiramate

Clinical Conversations

This podcast features lively interviews, concise summaries, and expert commentary that busy clinicians need to stay current and improve patient care.

May 19th, 2011