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What Is The Effect Of Levipill On Fetus During Pregnancy?
Question: I m taking 500 mg levipill twice a day since 1year 2months...now I'm pregnant..can I keep this baby..my elder son is 7years old...I desperately wants to keep this baby.I had word with my neurosurgeon .He said levipill is safe during pregnancy...pl help
Brief Answer:
You can continue the pregnancy safely
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Levipil is levaricetam which is an anticonvulsant and is not found to cause (or caused in very rare cases) side effects or congenital anomalies in the fetus when exposed during pregnancy, in various studies done worldwide. It is a pregnancy category C drug and animal studies have revealed evidence of increased incidences of minor fetal anomalies. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Levetiracetam is only recommended for use during pregnancy when the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus.
As told by your doctor, it is comparatively safer to take in pregnancy when compared other antiepileptic drugs.So, you can continue this pregnancy.
I would suggest you to continue taking the drug, as it is needed to prevent the seizures in you and stopping the drug may lead to seizure attack, which is much more dangerous to the fetus and you.
Moreover, I would suggest you to consult a fetal medicine specialist and get a detailed anomaly ultrasound at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy to rule out any major congenital anomalies, and further management to be done accordingly.
I suggest you to be happy and positive while you are pregnant, and don't worry so much.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma
You can continue the pregnancy safely
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Levipil is levaricetam which is an anticonvulsant and is not found to cause (or caused in very rare cases) side effects or congenital anomalies in the fetus when exposed during pregnancy, in various studies done worldwide. It is a pregnancy category C drug and animal studies have revealed evidence of increased incidences of minor fetal anomalies. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Levetiracetam is only recommended for use during pregnancy when the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus.
As told by your doctor, it is comparatively safer to take in pregnancy when compared other antiepileptic drugs.So, you can continue this pregnancy.
I would suggest you to continue taking the drug, as it is needed to prevent the seizures in you and stopping the drug may lead to seizure attack, which is much more dangerous to the fetus and you.
Moreover, I would suggest you to consult a fetal medicine specialist and get a detailed anomaly ultrasound at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy to rule out any major congenital anomalies, and further management to be done accordingly.
I suggest you to be happy and positive while you are pregnant, and don't worry so much.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Dr. Deepti Verma
OBGYN, Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Practicing since :2009
Answered : 5064 Questions
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