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Epilepsy and Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Joseph Bruni  and
L. James Willmore
Joseph Bruni
Affiliation:
Neurology Service, Veterans Administration Hospital and Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
L. James Willmore*
Affiliation:
Neurology Service, Veterans Administration Hospital and Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
*
Neurology Service (127), Veterans Administration Hospital, Gainesville, Florida 32602 U.S.A.
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The management of the pregnant epileptic requires close cooperation between the neurologist and obstetrician. To prevent complications, knowledge is required about the natural history of epilepsy during pregnancy, the possible teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs, and changes in their absorption, biotransformation, and excretion. Close plasma antiepileptic drug monitoring is required because of the change in the handling of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. The treatment of status epilepticus with intravenous phenytoin is effective. Drug interactions which may lead to toxic plasma levels of some drugs and subtherapeutic plasma levels of others should be anticipated. The risk of problems resulting from antiepileptic drug therapy during pregnancy appears to be minor, provided that proper medical supervision is available. Newer antiepileptic drugs should not be administered to the pregnant epileptic until their safety in pregnancy is fully established.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , August 1979 , pp. 345 - 349
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1979

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