7 Interactions found for:

The following applies to the ingredients: Clonazepam

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This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk.

AU TGA pregnancy category: B3
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Risk summary: There are inconclusive data available on use of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk.

Comments:
-The child born to a mother taking benzodiazepines may be at risk for withdrawal symptoms.
-Supplementation with folic acid is recommended before conception and during pregnancy.
-Pregnancy itself, and discontinuation of treatment, may result in exacerbation of epilepsy.
-The patient should be warned of the potential risks to the fetus prior to initiation; patients who become pregnant should continue treatment, and monotherapy should be used at the lowest effective dose (if possible).

Animal studies have revealed evidence of decreased number of pregnancies, lower number of surviving offspring until weaning, malformations, decreased maternal weight gain, and reduced fetal growth. There have been reports of neonatal flaccidity, respiratory and feeding difficulties, irregular heart rate, and hypothermia in children born to mothers who have been taking benzodiazepines late in pregnancy. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

To monitor maternal-fetal outcome of pregnant women exposed to antiepileptic drugs, the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry has been established. Healthcare providers are encouraged to prospectively register patients. For additional information: http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/

AU TGA pregnancy category B3: Drugs which have been taken by only a limited number of pregnant women and women of childbearing age, without an increase in the frequency of malformation or other direct or indirect harmful effects on the human fetus having been observed. Studies in animals have shown evidence of an increased occurrence of fetal damage, the significance of which is considered uncertain in humans.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

The following applies to the ingredients: Lamotrigine (found in Lamictal)

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Benefit should outweigh risk

AU TGA pregnancy category: D
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned

Risk Summary: Several prospective pregnancy exposure registries and epidemiological studies have not detected an increased frequency of major congenital malformations or a consistent pattern of malformations among women exposed to lamotrigine compared with the general population; animal studies have shown developmental toxicities at doses administered clinically.

Comments:
-Women with epilepsy who are planning to become pregnant should receive pre-pregnancy counseling; folate supplementation should be considered before conception and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
-Abrupt discontinuation of anti-epileptic therapy during pregnancy is not advised as this may lead to breakthrough seizures in mother and fetus.
-Physiologic changes during pregnancy may affect drug concentrations and/or therapeutic effect; dose adjustments may be necessary to maintain clinical response.
-Women should be advised to notify their healthcare provider if they plan to start or stop oral contraceptive use or other female hormonal preparations as this may significantly affect lamotrigine drug concentrations.
-A pregnancy registry is available to provide information on the effects of in utero exposure; pregnant patients should be encouraged to enroll: North American AED Pregnancy Registry: US toll free number: 1-888-233-2334; Website: http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/

Animal studies have shown developmental toxicity at doses estimated to be lower than those used clinically. Pregnant rats administered 3 doses (5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) during the latter part of gestation had increased offspring mortality (including stillbirths) at all doses. The lowest effect dose for peri/postnatal developmental toxicity was less than the human dose of 400 mg/day on mg/m2 basis. Maternal toxicity was observed at the 2 highest doses. Studies in rats have shown a decrease in folic acid during pregnancy, and since this drug is a weak inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase, there is a theoretical risk of malformation due to folate deficiency. Anti-epileptic drugs should generally be continued during pregnancy with the goal of monotherapy at the lowest effective dose, however, the risk to the mother and fetus of uncontrolled epilepsy should be considered when deciding on treatment options. Data from several international pregnancy registries have not shown an increased risk for malformations overall. The frequency of major congenital malformations was similar to estimates from the general population. The North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy (NAAED) Registry has reported an increased risk of isolated oral clefts, although this finding has not been observed in other large international pregnancy registries. Several meta-analyses have not reported an increased risk of major congenital malformations following lamotrigine exposure in pregnancy compared with healthy and disease-matched controls. No patterns of specific malformation types were observed. As with other antiepileptic drugs, decreased lamotrigine concentrations have been reported during pregnancy with a return to pre-pregnancy concentrations after delivery. Appropriate clinical management should include monitoring drug concentrations and adjusting doses as indicated. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.

AU TGA pregnancy category D: Drugs which have caused, are suspected to have caused or may be expected to cause, an increased incidence of human fetal malformations or irreversible damage. These drugs may also have adverse pharmacological effects. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

The following applies to the ingredients: Clonazepam

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A decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
-Some experts recommend: This drug should be used only if clearly needed.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Sedation, weight loss, and feeding difficulties have occurred in nursing infants.
-The WHO considers this drug compatible with breastfeeding when given at normal doses.
-Monitoring for drowsiness, weight gain, and developmental milestones should be considered in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and/or those exposed to combinations of psychotropic drugs.
-Some experts state that this drug may be an acceptable choice for refractory restless leg syndrome during lactation.

The following applies to the ingredients: Lamotrigine (found in Lamictal)

Professional Content

Benefit should outweigh risk

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Adverse reactions have occasionally been reported in breastfed babies, but long-term exposure does not appear to affect infant growth and development.
-Breastfed infants should be carefully monitored for side effects; serum levels may be measured to rule out toxicity.
-If infant rash occurs, breastfeeding should be discontinued until cause can be established.

Drug concentrations in human milk may be as high as 50% of the maternal serum levels. Neonates are at risk for high plasma levels due to plasma protein binding being relatively low and decreased ability to clear drug (immaturity of glucuronidation capacity). Additionally, similar to other antiepileptic drugs, the maternal dose should generally be reduced after delivery to the pre-pregnancy dosage, and failure to reduce dose may lead to higher milk concentrations. Apnea, rash, drowsiness, and poor sucking have been reported in breastfed infants. If an adverse event occurs, a serum level can be measured to rule out toxicity. Consider monitoring platelet counts and liver function. Breastfeeding should be discontinued in infants with lamotrigine toxicity