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. 2012 Feb;58(2):163-4.

Is carbamazepine safe to take during pregnancy?

Jeremy Matlow, Gideon Koren

Is carbamazepine safe to take during pregnancy?

Jeremy Matlow et al. Can Fam Physician. 2012 Feb.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: Some of my pregnant patients are afraid to take their antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy because of the known risk of malformations and the neurodevelopmental problems associated with valproic acid. Are there similar concerns with carbamazepine?

Answer: Similar to valproic acid, carbamazepine increases the risk of neural tube defects; however, it does not increase the risk of other malformations. Carbamazepine is also not associated with an increased risk of developmental delay.

Question Certaines de mes patientes enceintes ont peur de prendre leurs médicaments contre l’épilepsie durant la grossesse en raison des risques connus de malformations et de problèmes neurodéveloppementaux associés à l’acide valproïque. Y a-t-il des inquiétudes semblables avec la carbamazépine?

Réponse À l’instar de l’acide valproïque, la carbamazépine augmente le risque d’anomalies du tube neural; par ailleurs, elle n’augmente pas le risque de malformations et n’est pas associée à un risque accru de retard du développement.

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