Is Lamotrigine compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Lamotrigine?

Lamotrigine

October 12, 2018 (Low Risk)

As high as therapeutic levels of this drug have been found in the serum of infants (35-50% of maternal serum level). Side-effects were not observed, neither developmental nor IC derangements at long term follow-up among hundreds of children of treated mothers.

A case was published of apnea in a newborn baby whose mother was on a very high dose of Lamotrigine (850 mg a-day).

During pregnancy, it increases the clearance of Lamotrigine and other antiepileptic medication that warrants an increase in dosage in this period. After birth, the serum level rapidly increases with a risk of harm on both the mother and the infant, whenever dose is not reduced to that previous from pregnancy.

An infant, 1 1/2 months old, whose mother was on Lamotrigine, resulted affected with Abstinence Syndrome soon after sudden weaning.

Alternatives

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Writings

  • Λαμοτριγίνη (Greek)
  • لاموتريجين (Arabic)
  • Ламотригин (Cyrillic)
  • 拉莫三嗪 (Chinese)
  • ラモトリギン (Japanese)
  • C9 H7 Cl2 N5 (Molecular formula)
  • 6-(2,3-Dichlorophenyl)-1,2,4-triazine-3,5-diyldiamine (Chemical name)
  • N03AX09 (ATC Code/s)

References

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