Ask your GP about epilepsy medication

WOMEN receiving treatment for epilepsy are being urged to discuss with a healthcare professional the right treatment for them if they want to become pregnant.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) says women with epilepsy who are trying for a baby should be put on lamotrigine or levetiracetam, after a study found them to be safer than other medical alternatives.

Dr Sarah Branch from the MHRA said: ‘Patient safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to making sure women are aware of the risks of taking certain epilepsy medicines during pregnancy, particularly valproate.

‘We have shared this important review with doctors and nurses so they can use it to inform discussions with their patients.

‘If a woman is planning to become pregnant, and is taking a medicine for epilepsy, it is very important that she should discuss with a healthcare professional the right treatment for her.’