The majority of the available epidemiological data relate to gabapentin use in pregnancy for the treatment of maternal epilepsy. A few case reports/series describe use of gabapentin in the treatment of neuropathic pain or hyperemesis gravidarum but studies have not assessed fetal outcomes following use in pregnancy for these indications. In this large population-based study, we did not find evidence for an association between gabapentin exposure during early pregnancy and major malformations overall, although there was some evidence of a higher risk of cardiac malformations. Maternal use of gabapentin, particularly late in pregnancy If you're trying to get pregnant or have become pregnant while taking gabapentin, it is recommended to take a high dose of folic acid (5mg a day). You can get this from your doctor or midwife. Ideally you'll take high dose folic acid for 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In this small trial, gabapentin was more effective than standard-of-care therapy for reducing nausea and vomiting and increasing oral nutrition and global satisfaction in outpatients with hyperemesis gravidarum. These data build on previous findings in other patient populations supporting gabapentin It is not known if gabapentin can make it harder to get pregnant. Sexual dysfunction (including loss of desire to have sex and loss of ability to have an orgasm) has been reported among women who take gabapentin. Does taking gabapentin increase the chance of miscarriage? When treating neuropathic pain in a woman who is pregnant, the use of gabapentinoids (e.g. gabapentin) or an antiepileptic drug (AED) (e.g. levetiracetam, lamotrigine) is a last line option. This is due to the limited availability of data for safe use during pregnancy. Other options should be trialled first. To provide evidence on the safety of gabapentin use in pregnancy, we conducted a large cohort study of pregnant women within the US Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) and assessed a range of neonatal and maternal outcomes. NEURONTIN safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for NEURONTIN. NEURONTIN ® (gabapentin) capsules, for oral use NEURONTIN ® (gabapentin) tablets, for oral use NEURONTIN ® (gabapentin) oral solution Initial U.S. Approval: 1993 ----- Warnings and Pr ecautions, Respiratory Depression (5.7) 04/2020 With maternal doses up to 2.1 g/day, estimated doses for fully breastfed infants are 0.2 to 1.3 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 1.3 to 3.8% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose). An expert panel has deemed this drug is an acceptable choice for refractory restless leg syndrome during lactation. In this study with over 4000 infants exposed to gabapentin, the information is reassuring. While we cannot rule out the possibility of a small increase in risk of cardiovascular malformations in gabapentin-exposed infants, gabapentin does not appear to be a major teratogen. All pregnant women in the UK will be offered a very detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of their routine antenatal care. No extra monitoring for major birth defects is required following gabapentin use in pregnancy. Babies exposed to gabapentin before delivery may experience withdrawal symptoms for a few days after birth. Pregnant women and their physicians should weigh the benefits of treatment with gabapentin with the risks of potential adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with its use. Gabapentin is a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) analog with GABA agonist activity. We have data on 223 pregnancy outcomes exposed to gabapentin and 223 unexposed pregnancies. The rates of major malformations were similar in both groups (p = 0.845). There was a higher rate of preterm births (p = 0.019) and low birth weight <2,500 g (p = 0.033) in the gabapentin group. It is not known if gabapentin can make it harder to get pregnant. Sexual dysfunction (including loss of desire to have sex and loss of ability to have an orgasm) has been reported among people who take gabapentin. Does taking gabapentin increase the chance of miscarriage? Gabapentin is a γ-aminobutyric acid analog formally indicated for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain that is gaining increased popularity. Gabapentin has been historically considered a safe medication, including during pregnancy and lactation, with low reported concerns for misuse and us Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to pregabalin is associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes while gabapentin exposure was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth and small-for-gestational age. Studies have not been done to see if gabapentin can increase the chance of miscarriage in human pregnancy. Animal studies reported an increased chance for miscarriage. Does taking gabapentin increase the chance of birth defects? Every pregnancy starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a birth defect. This is called the background risk. While gabapentin (Neurontin) is now used in a wide variety of clinical settings — for epilepsy, pain management, restless leg syndrome, anxiety, and sleep disturbance – there is relatively little information regarding its reproductive safety. Most recently, a prospective study from researchers at the Motherisk program reports on the outcomes of 223 pregnancies exposed to gabapentin Prenatal exposure to pregabalin is associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes while gabapentin exposure was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth and small-for-gestational age. Larger studies are needed to confirm these data and explore additional outcomes.
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