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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Will Zeptol Cause Side Effects To The Baby If Taken During Pregnancy?

Hi I am Monika and 23 years old. I am taking Zeptol 200 & 300mg and Clobakem daily from 1 and half year. I came to know that I am pregnant just few days back. What is the side effect of these medicine to the baby. Is it ok to stop consuming both medicine.
Thu, 17 Mar 2016
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hi there,
Welcome to HCM,

Zeptol (Carbamazepine) and Clobakem (Benzodiazepine) are given for epilepsy control. And the fact that you are taking two drugs would mean that it is not under very good control. Could you tell me more about when was your last epileptic seizure ? And when did you last visit a neurologist.

Epilepsy itself poses a risk to pregnancy and discontinuation of the medications is not advisable as it can cause the seizures to recur and this could harm both you and your baby.

I would strongly recommend you to take Folic acid 5 mg from today itself. Also get your obstetrician to see you immediately and get an ultrasound done to see if the exact weeks of pregnancy.

You will need to follow up with your neurologist to taper the dose of the medications depending on how well your epilepsy is controlled.

Epilepsy and medications used to treat it both are known to defects in the unborn baby. The risk would depend on a lot of factors, but is usually less than 5 %.

Taking folic acid before getting pregnant and during pregnancy can decrease the risk to a certain extent.

Regular ultrasound and first trimester screening will be required to see for the proper development of the baby.

Hope this helps.
Regards.
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Will Zeptol Cause Side Effects To The Baby If Taken During Pregnancy?

Hi there, Welcome to HCM, Zeptol (Carbamazepine) and Clobakem (Benzodiazepine) are given for epilepsy control. And the fact that you are taking two drugs would mean that it is not under very good control. Could you tell me more about when was your last epileptic seizure ? And when did you last visit a neurologist. Epilepsy itself poses a risk to pregnancy and discontinuation of the medications is not advisable as it can cause the seizures to recur and this could harm both you and your baby. I would strongly recommend you to take Folic acid 5 mg from today itself. Also get your obstetrician to see you immediately and get an ultrasound done to see if the exact weeks of pregnancy. You will need to follow up with your neurologist to taper the dose of the medications depending on how well your epilepsy is controlled. Epilepsy and medications used to treat it both are known to defects in the unborn baby. The risk would depend on a lot of factors, but is usually less than 5 %. Taking folic acid before getting pregnant and during pregnancy can decrease the risk to a certain extent. Regular ultrasound and first trimester screening will be required to see for the proper development of the baby. Hope this helps. Regards.