Seizure Medication and Pregnancy
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Medically reviewed by Brigid Dwyer, MD
If you take seizure medication, there are things to consider if you are planning to become pregnant.
Read on to learn how anti-seizure medications can affect a pregnancy, which medications are considered the safest during pregnancy, and which medications to avoid if possible.
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Risks of Seizures During Pregnancy
For most people with epilepsy, seizure frequency stays the same or even declines during pregnancy. For about 15% to 30% of pregnant people with epilepsy, seizure activity increases, typically in the first or third trimester.
Possible reasons for this increase include:
Not taking medications as needed
A change in how medications are processed during pregnancy, leading to lowered blood levels of the drug
Hormone changes
Water and sodium retention
Lack of sleep
Vomiting medication before it is absorbed fully
Weight gain from the pregnancy changing dosage needs
Seizures during pregnancy can pose a risk to both the pregnant person and fetus. The extent of these risks depends on the seizure type.
Focal Seizure With No Impairment of Awareness
Person is usually aware and alert during the seizure
Unless it becomes a generalized seizure, it poses little risk to the pregnant person or fetus
Focal Seizure With Impairment of Awareness
Can cause altered awareness and lead to injury
May not directly affect the fetus but an injury to the pregnant person could lead to harm
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Also known as a grand mal seizure
Person loses consciousness
Muscles stiffen and then make jerking movements
Risk of injury from falling or other trauma
Can cause oxygen deprivation to the fetus and/or lowered fetal heart rate
Increased risk of premature labor and miscarriage
The risks from seizures while pregnant are generally considered greater than the risks of taking anti-seizure medications during pregnancy.
Epilepsy can affect plans for preventing pregnancy as well. The rate of unintended pregnancy is higher for people with epilepsy than the overall rate in the United States.
Some anti-seizure medications can reduce the effectiveness of certain hormonal birth control methods.
If you want to prevent pregnancy, talk to your neurologist or OB/GYN about which contraceptive methods are most appropriate for you.
Taking Epilepsy Medication While Pregnant
The goal of taking anti-seizure medication during pregnancy is to find the fewest medications at the lowest dosage to adequately control seizures.
This may mean changing your current medication plan, but never stop taking, reducing, or changing your anti-seizure medications without talking to your neurologist or the healthcare provider in charge of your seizure management.
During pregnancy, the rate at which medications move through the body (called clearance) is faster, depending on the type of medication. Pregnancy hormones can also trigger liver enzymes which decrease blood levels of the medication.
Having epilepsy is associated with a moderate increase in risk for adverse outcomes with pregnancy, but generally not from medication use. A population-based cohort study published in 2017 that included more than 1.4 million singleton births found that antiepileptic drug use during pregnancy was generally not associated with adverse outcomes for the pregnant person or baby.
Seizure Medication and Fetal Risk
The risk most associated with taking antiepileptic medications during pregnancy is the potential for congenital malformations (birth defects). While the rate of congenital malformations is higher when pregnant people take antiepileptic medications, the overall risk is still low.
There is a 2% to 3% occurrence of congenital malformations (which cannot always be predicted or prevented) in the general population, while pregnant people with epilepsy have a risk of about 4% to 6%. These risks may be more likely when multiple medications are used and at higher doses.
Possible risks include:
Cleft lip/cleft palate (can usually be corrected with surgery)
Neural tube defects, such as spina bifida (possibly due to some epilepsy medications interfering with blood levels of folic acid. Taking a higher dose of folic acid before and during pregnancy may prevent these defects)
Cardiac defects
Urinary and genital tract defects
Withdrawal symptoms in the newborn (usually temporary and typically do not cause long-term effects)
Most medical professionals agree that the benefits of taking antiepileptic medication during pregnancy outweigh these risks.
Safest Epilepsy Medication During Pregnancy
Research on the safety of specific antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy is limited, particularly for newer medications.
Based on current information, the medications considered to have the lowest risks to the fetus during pregnancy include:
Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Keppra (levetiracetam)
Trileptal (oxcarbazepine)
These drugs' blood levels can change dramatically during pregnancy and must be monitored.
The most important measure of medication continues to be that it controls seizures. Regardless of specific medication profiles, the goal is to use the most effective medication with the fewest potential negative effects.
Pregnant people with epilepsy are encouraged to enroll in the North American Anti-Epileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry to help increase knowledge about antiepileptic medication use during pregnancy.
Medications With Increased Risks
The medication most associated with risks to a developing fetus is valproate/valproic acid. The risk of major congenital malformations (such as spina bifida) with in-utero exposure to valproate is about 5% to 15%, especially when used with other anti-seizure medications. It may also increase the risk of developmental disorders.
Valproate products include:
Depacon (valproate sodium)
Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER (Divalproex sodium)
Depakene and Stavzor (Valproic acid)
Their generics
Other medications associated with higher risks include:
Topamax (topiramate)
Tegretol and others (carbamazepine)
Solfoton (phenobarbital)
Dilantin (phenytoin)
If you are currently taking these medications, speak to your neurologist immediately.
The frequency of seizure during pregnancy includes:
About two-thirds of pregnant people with epilepsy remain seizure-free during their pregnancy
About 70% of pregnant people see no change in seizure frequency during their pregnancy
About 12% have fewer seizures during their pregnancy
A little over 12% have an increased amount of seizures during their pregnancy
Preparing for Pregnancy and Preventing Birth Defects
The risk for major birth defects is highest during the first trimester, particularly during week three to week eight. If getting pregnant is a possibility, preconception counseling with a specialist who knows about epilepsy and pregnancy can help you prepare beforehand and potentially lower these early pregnancy risks.
Stick to Your Treatment Plan
Never stop or change your medication or dosages without talking to your healthcare provider, even if you find out you are pregnant.
Your treatment plan may need to change if you are pregnant or planning to be, and extra monitoring (likely including testing blood levels of the medication) will be needed but should be done under the advisement of your healthcare provider.
Not adhering to your treatment plan can increase the risk of seizures and their associated risks.
Healthy Diet
Getting the right nutrition is important for all pregnant people, including those with epilepsy. This includes ensuring adequate weight gain (if advised), eating a variety of nutritious foods, and taking recommended supplements such as a prenatal multivitamin and folic acid.
Folic Acid
All people who may become pregnant are advised to take folate or a folic acid supplement to help prevent neural tube defects that can occur early in pregnancy. Typically, the dosage is 0.4 milligram per day, but people taking anti-seizure medication may need a higher dosage.
There is no universally agreed-upon dosage of folic acid supplements for people who are taking anti-seizure medication, but recommendations tend to be to take a multivitamin that contains 0.4 milligrams of folic acid, plus an additional 1 milligram to 5 milligrams per day, depending on deficiencies and the risk for neural tube defects. Follow your healthcare provider's directions.
Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins that contain vitamin D can help address the lower levels of vitamin D that can be brought on by antiepileptic medication.
Selenium and zinc (found in a multivitamin with minerals) may also be beneficial.
Pregnant people taking enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs may be given vitamin K in the last month of pregnancy to prevent rare bleeding complications in their newborn. Their newborn is usually given vitamin K at birth as well.
Sleep
Getting adequate rest during pregnancy can be hard, but it's important as lack of sleep can be a seizure trigger.
Avoid Harmful Substances
As with any pregnancy, harmful substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine should be avoided.
Breastfeeding is encouraged, even for people taking antiepileptic drugs. It's recommended by major organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Neurology.
Only a small amount of the medication is passed to the baby during breastfeeding (less than they got during pregnancy).
Some medications, such as phenobarbital, primidone, lorazepam, and ethosuximide, may carry a higher risk with breastfeeding. If breastfeeding on this medication, you will need to be extra cautious and monitor your baby for sleepiness and level of alertness, lack of weight gain, or other developmental problems. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medications if you want to breastfeed.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Early and regular prenatal care helps your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and managing your epilepsy. In addition to regular prenatal care, you will likely see your neurologist every month or every other month for monitoring of medication levels in your blood.
If you are planning to become pregnant, it's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before conceiving. This way any necessary changes to your treatment plan can be made before you become pregnant.
Following up after birth is also important, as medication dosages may need to be adjusted.
Stress and sleep deprivation, common when you have a newborn, can increase the risk of seizure recurrence. Some measures you can take to help with safety should a seizure occur include:
Change diapers on the floor
Bathe the baby using a sponge bath or with other adults around
Use a stroller or a bedside cot on wheels instead of carrying the baby
Feed the baby in the middle of a large bed instead of a chair
Summary
Most people with epilepsy, including those taking antiepileptic medications, have healthy pregnancies and births.
While there are some risks associated with taking antiepileptic medications during pregnancy, the benefits of controlling seizures generally outweigh these risks. The risks tend to be higher with certain medications, when multiple medications are used, and/or with higher dosages.
Talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication plan.
A Word From Verywell
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about what treatment plan is best for you and your pregnancy. Most people with epilepsy have healthy, safe pregnancies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to get pregnant if you have epilepsy?
It is safe for most people with epilepsy to become pregnant. About 24,000 babies are born to people with epilepsy each year. The overwhelming majority of these people have healthy pregnancies and babies. Strategies can be used to reduce risks.
Do seizures increase during pregnancy?
For most people with epilepsy, seizure frequency remains the same during pregnancy. For some people, seizure frequency increases or decreases.
Can you pass epilepsy on to your child?
Epilepsy can have a genetic component, but the risk of passing it on to your child is low. The chance of developing epilepsy in the general population is about 1%. If you have epilepsy, the risk is about 5% (slightly higher if their other genetic parent also has epilepsy, but not by much).
