Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group

My Dr 14 and just put on Keppra she is on Depakote too her neorologist put her on a prenatal vit because Keppra depleats some vitamins and minerals

Good to know! I'll get the vitamins. What else do y'all have for me?
softheart

I am actually trying to figure this out myself. Thanks for posting this :)

Samantha

This might not help because its so vague BUT Keppra is NOT recommended during pregnancy...developmental toxicities WERE observed in animal studies. There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women (and that may change)
Dr O.

Here is more data about Keppra and pregnancy (more questions from DS members)---I did a thorough literature search again tonight and I do want to say that OFTEN animal studies do NOT translate into additional risks for humans but here it is:
1) Reproductive toxicity data from rat and rabbit models have demonstrated an excess of skeletal abnormalities, fetal growth retardation, and fetal mortality in pregnancies exposed to Keppra
2) In rats, skeletal abnormalities occurred more frequently with exposures of 3,600 mg/kg/day during organogenesis and ≥350 mg/kg/day given through pregnancy.
3) IMPORTANTLY: The former dose is equal to 12 times the maximum recommended human dose on a mg/m2 basis.
4) In rabbits, doses of ≥600 mg/kg/day during organogenesis had an increased frequency of skeletal abnormalities and rates of fetal resorption. No gross malformations were reported.
5) In an established mouse model of antiepileptic drugs (AED)and birth defects developmental outcomes of fetuses exposed to either keppra or the major metabolite of Keppra in humans were studied. In a group of 107 fetuses exposed to 1,200/mg/kg/day of Keppra two were found to have a cleft palate. No other groups, including those exposed to 2,000 mg/kg/day, had any gross external malformations. There was significant reduction in fetal weights in most study groups and an increased rate of skeletal abnormalities in the Keppra group.
AGAIN:
Data from human pregnancies are sparse. In a case series of 3 patients with epilepsy on Keppra there was no evidence of birth defects or developmental delay. In a further study of 11 pregnancies exposed to Keppra no malformations were recorded, however, 2 offspring had a low birth weight, and 1 had a very low birth weight.

I hope this helps
Dr O.

I googled "Keppra and Pregnancy" before Doc. O sent that last reply (thanks btw!). Turns out, I have nearly every side effect that tends to come with the med - right down to the suicidal thoughts! I was shocked. I had been noticing these odd symptoms in me for weeks and never did think to look into whether the Keppra had something to do with it. As it is, my husband is talking to my neur, requesting prescriptions for smaller pills so I can wean back off of it. (I'm a bit frustrated over here, Me Frien's.)
softheart

Hi Softheart,
I just changed to Keprra from Depakote recently too. I was thinking the suicidal thoughts too, alot of anxiety, and almost depressed. It took about 6 mos to get used to the Keppra. When hubby and I get prego next summer, I plan on going without any AED's.
Goodluck!

I've got a board certified Neurologist who keeps on top of all kinds of updates about Epilepsy, and Neurological disorders. Her and I decided that I would go all together off of any AED's while I'm pregnant to almost elminate the chances of our future baby coming out with any defects or abnormalities. She actually didn't say that Keppra was dangerous, she just said that if I start to have seizures after my first trimester, she'll put me on whatever AED the Harvard Registry suggests at that time. Right now it looks like it might be Phenobarbital. However, my neuro did say that we'll have to play with the meds, so if one gives babies clept lips, I'll take it after the babies mouth has completely formed..if another med affects babies brain, we'll take it after the brain is formed. Etc. Wish me luck.