Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Seizure control and pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drugs in pregnant women with epilepsy

Brodtkorb, Eylert and Reimers, Arne LU (2008) In Seizure 17(2). p.160-165
Abstract

The main concerns associated with epilepsy during pregnancy consist of maternal and fetal risks from uncontrolled seizures, and harmful effects of the treatment on the development of the offspring. Although seizure control is maintained in the majority, worsening occurs in a fraction of childbearing women with epilepsy. As multiple factors associated with pregnancy may have a negative impact on epilepsy, a careful analysis of the situation should be performed in those who deteriorate. Emotional and behavioural influence, including insufficient sleep and treatment non-compliance, as well as physical factors, such as emesis and pelvic distortion, should receive attention. The serum concentrations of almost all antiepileptic drugs decrease... (More)

The main concerns associated with epilepsy during pregnancy consist of maternal and fetal risks from uncontrolled seizures, and harmful effects of the treatment on the development of the offspring. Although seizure control is maintained in the majority, worsening occurs in a fraction of childbearing women with epilepsy. As multiple factors associated with pregnancy may have a negative impact on epilepsy, a careful analysis of the situation should be performed in those who deteriorate. Emotional and behavioural influence, including insufficient sleep and treatment non-compliance, as well as physical factors, such as emesis and pelvic distortion, should receive attention. The serum concentrations of almost all antiepileptic drugs decrease during pregnancy, particularly those which are metabolised by glucuronidation. The inter-individual variability is pronounced. In highly protein-bound drugs, such as phenytoin and valproate, unbound drug is less affected than total concentrations. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam concentrations may decrease by more than 50% in the course of pregnancy; monohydroxyoxcarbazepine by up to 30-40%. Appropriate clinical follow-up tailored to individual needs and supported by therapeutic drug monitoring should be performed in pregnant women with epilepsy. Education concerning reproductive issues is an essential part of the epilepsy service to fertile women.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
Antiepileptic drugs, Counselling, Epilepsy, Pharmacokinetics, Pregnancy, Seizure control
in
Seizure
volume
17
issue
2
pages
160 - 165
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:38949101452
  • pmid:18158256
ISSN
1059-1311
DOI
10.1016/j.seizure.2007.11.015
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
50bde1b3-38bf-406d-b100-90c9fa1fb864
date added to LUP
2024-08-31 14:57:44
date last changed
2024-09-02 08:03:02
@article{50bde1b3-38bf-406d-b100-90c9fa1fb864,
  abstract     = {{<p>The main concerns associated with epilepsy during pregnancy consist of maternal and fetal risks from uncontrolled seizures, and harmful effects of the treatment on the development of the offspring. Although seizure control is maintained in the majority, worsening occurs in a fraction of childbearing women with epilepsy. As multiple factors associated with pregnancy may have a negative impact on epilepsy, a careful analysis of the situation should be performed in those who deteriorate. Emotional and behavioural influence, including insufficient sleep and treatment non-compliance, as well as physical factors, such as emesis and pelvic distortion, should receive attention. The serum concentrations of almost all antiepileptic drugs decrease during pregnancy, particularly those which are metabolised by glucuronidation. The inter-individual variability is pronounced. In highly protein-bound drugs, such as phenytoin and valproate, unbound drug is less affected than total concentrations. Lamotrigine and levetiracetam concentrations may decrease by more than 50% in the course of pregnancy; monohydroxyoxcarbazepine by up to 30-40%. Appropriate clinical follow-up tailored to individual needs and supported by therapeutic drug monitoring should be performed in pregnant women with epilepsy. Education concerning reproductive issues is an essential part of the epilepsy service to fertile women.</p>}},
  author       = {{Brodtkorb, Eylert and Reimers, Arne}},
  issn         = {{1059-1311}},
  keywords     = {{Antiepileptic drugs; Counselling; Epilepsy; Pharmacokinetics; Pregnancy; Seizure control}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{160--165}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Seizure}},
  title        = {{Seizure control and pharmacokinetics of antiepileptic drugs in pregnant women with epilepsy}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2007.11.015}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.seizure.2007.11.015}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}