Public Health Scotland issues report on the use of anti-seizure medicines during pregnancy
Epilepsy Society has been campaigning for many years to raise awareness of the risks many epilepsy drugs pose to babies during pregnancy. Public Health Scotland (PHS) has released a new report focusing on the use of anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) among women of reproductive age in Scotland, including those who were pregnant.
Responding to the Baronness Julia Cumberlege Review Report – First Do No Harm, PHS worked with stakeholders to better understand the use, benefits and risks of medicines taking in pregnancy across Scotland.
The report focuses on valproate and topiramate which are both known to carry risks when taken during pregnancy. There has been a 45% decline since 2018 in the number of prescriptions of valproate due to its association with congenital and neurodevelopmental conditions. The figures for topiramate were much higher as it was more commonly prescribed, but the report emphasises the need for careful prescribing and monitoring of ASMs in pregnancy to reduce risks to both mothers and babies.
Epilepsy Society responds
Nicola Swanborough, Head of External Affairs said: "The challenges faced in prescribing anti-seizure medications highlight the vital need for research into which medications are safe for which pregnancies at an individual level. While regulations around the prescribing of valproate and topiramate are welcomed, they are not the end of the story. Many of the commonly prescribed medicines for epilepsy may elevate the risk of harm for a baby during pregnancy, while for other drugs there is not the data to say whether they are safe or not. All babies should have the best opportunity of a healthy start in life, but equally parents with epilepsy must also be prescribed medications that will give them optimum seizure control. This is a huge challenge which is why the Epilepsy Society is campaigning for more research into epilepsy medications and pregnancy so that the future of both parents and the baby can be protected."