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. A study from the European Gabapentin Registry included prospective and retrospective data with a total of 51 outcomes and 44 live births of women with epilepsy and other disorders exposed to gabapentin during pregnancy. As a precaution, gabapentin is only prescribed in pregnancy when the benefits (most commonly of controlling seizures in women with epilepsy) outweigh the possible risks. Gabapentin is an anti-seizure drug and some of these can affect folic acid levels. 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. During pregnancy, it crosses the placenta, raising issues concerning the effects of prenatal exposure and the impact on the fetus. Doctors thus thoroughly check the gabapentin risk during pregnancy before starting medication. Pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth) have been reported in some studies looking at the use of gabapentin during pregnancy. 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. Methods A systematic review was performed in PubMed and Reprotox using the search terms: “gabapentin”, “pregabalin”, “antiepileptic drugs” and terms associated with pregnancy. We included all studies in English that reported on the use and safety of gabapentin and pregabalin during pregnancy. There was an increased risk of preterm birth among women exposed to gabapentin either late (RR=1.28 [CI 1.08-1.52], p < 0.01) or both early and late in pregnancy (RR=1.22 [1.09-1.36], p < 0.001). Many pregnant women wonder about gabapentin’s potential risks. Some studies show that exposure to gabapentin in the first trimester may lead to an increased risk of major congenital malformations. Advice and warnings for the use of Gabapentin during pregnancy. FDA Pregnancy Category C - Risk cannot be ruled out In a cohort study of pregnant women included in the US Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) dataset, Elisabetta Patorno and colleagues investigate neonatal and maternal outcomes associated with gabapentin exposure during pregnancy. Some medications can cause a false positive pregnancy test result. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in urine. Taking any medication that contains hCG can cause a false-positive result. Drugs that contain the hCG hormone aimed at boosting fertility may impact pregnancy test results. These may include: Pregnyl Profasi Novarel Ovidrel Other drugs 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 As a precaution, gabapentin is only prescribed in pregnancy when the benefits (most commonly of controlling seizures in women with epilepsy) outweigh the possible risks. Gabapentin is an anti-seizure drug and some of these can affect folic acid levels. There's no evidence to suggest that taking gabapentin reduces fertility in either men or women. However, discuss your pregnancy plans with a doctor. They may wish to review your medicine and prescribe a higher dose of folic acid for you to take (5mg a day) before you become pregnant. Gabapentin and Pregnancy - Gabapentin - GabapentinTo provide information regarding the effects of in utero exposure to gabapentin, physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking gabapentin enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. How Gabapentin Can Be Addictive Mechanism: Gabapentin affects the brain’s neurotransmitters, particularly by There may be different gabapentin side effects in women than in men. Learn why dizziness, tiredness, and other side effects may occur and how to prevent them. There is not enough research to definitely say gabapentin during pregnancy is safe. The use of gabapentin by expectant mothers should be a shared decision between a healthcare provider and patient to consider the potential risks of fetal exposure and the benefits of treatment.
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