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Takes Lavera. Any Complication In Conception?

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Posted on Fri, 25 Oct 2013
Question: My wife takes lavera xr 1000 for the last several years. Can she get pregnant? Will the pregnancy run any risks? Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
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Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Lavera contains Levetiracetam, I assume your wife is taking the same for epilepsy.
It is pregnancy category C , as classifed by the FDA.
This means that there is evidence of risks to the fetus when the drug has been studied in animals, but there are no adequate human data.
In animals, this drug has been shown to cause minor fetal skeletal abnormalities, retarded growth in the fetus, abortions and death of the fetus, and behavioural abnormalities in the offspring.
There are no confirmatory studies in humans to prove this risk.
Its use is justified only when the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the baby.
Please go through the following link , it will explain things to you better -
WWW.WWWW.WW In no way does Lavera affect her ability to get pregnant, as the drug has no deleterious effect on fertility.
Ensure that she takes regular folic acid while planning a pregnancy, and continues taking 5 mg folic acid throughout pregnancy to minimize the risks to the baby.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (18 hours later)
Actually she doesnt have epilepsy but some form of it. It doesn't happen often. Sometimes years pass. But it happens when she is under stress. Thank you for your kind advice.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
DETAILED BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your appreciation.
It is best to discuss with her Neurologist for the safest alternative once she is planning to conceive.
All the best to you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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Takes Lavera. Any Complication In Conception?

Brief Answer:
DETAILED BELOW

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Lavera contains Levetiracetam, I assume your wife is taking the same for epilepsy.
It is pregnancy category C , as classifed by the FDA.
This means that there is evidence of risks to the fetus when the drug has been studied in animals, but there are no adequate human data.
In animals, this drug has been shown to cause minor fetal skeletal abnormalities, retarded growth in the fetus, abortions and death of the fetus, and behavioural abnormalities in the offspring.
There are no confirmatory studies in humans to prove this risk.
Its use is justified only when the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the baby.
Please go through the following link , it will explain things to you better -
WWW.WWWW.WW In no way does Lavera affect her ability to get pregnant, as the drug has no deleterious effect on fertility.
Ensure that she takes regular folic acid while planning a pregnancy, and continues taking 5 mg folic acid throughout pregnancy to minimize the risks to the baby.
All the best.
Please feel free to discuss further.