Lacosamide Safety During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Single-Centre Experience and Comprehensive Narrative Review

(1) Background: The management of epilepsy during pregnancy requires balancing effective seizure control against potential teratogenic effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs). Data on the safety of lacosamide (LCM), a third-generation ASM, during pregnancy and breastfeeding are limited. (2) Methods: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of LCM during pregnancy and breastfeeding, we report a single-centre case series and provide a comprehensive narrative review of the literature. (3) Results: In total, 22 cases of maternal exposure to LCM throughout pregnancy (1 monotherapy, 21 polytherapy) were identified, resulting in 21 live births (95.5%). Congenital malformations (atrial septal defect) were observed in one offspring exposed to LCM and levetiracetam (4.8%). Twelve newborns were breastfed (57.1%) without neurodevelopmental delay after twelve months. The literature search identified 16 studies, overall reporting data on 627 pregnancies with LCM (236 monotherapy, 391 polytherapy). Among 632 available pregnancy outcomes (3 twin pregnancies and 1 triplet in the polytherapy group) the proportion of live births was 81.3% (514/632). Major congenital malformations were reported in 2.5% (6/236) with LCM monotherapy and 11.9% (47/396) with polytherapy. (4) Conclusions: According to the literature, no major safety concerns, especially in LCM monotherapy, and no specific malformations associated with LCM exposure were identified. Conclusions are limited by the heterogeneity of studies and the small number of monotherapy-exposed cases. Larger, prospective studies with longer follow-up are required.

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Publication Details

Journal
Pharmacy
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy14020058
Primary Topic
Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
Type
article
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article

Lacosamide Safety During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Single-Centre Experience and Comprehensive Narrative Review

Iris Unterberger, Gerald Walser, Alexandra Astner-Rohracher, Kamila Saramak et al.
Pharmacy
Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
article

Lacosamide Safety During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Single-Centre Experience and Comprehensive Narrative Review

Iris Unterberger, Gerald Walser, Alexandra Astner-Rohracher, Kamila Saramak, Marina Peball, Manuela Kaml, Luisa Delazer, Anna Hussl
article en

Abstract

(1) Background: The management of epilepsy during pregnancy requires balancing effective seizure control against potential teratogenic effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs). Data on the safety of lacosamide (LCM), a third-generation ASM, during pregnancy and breastfeeding are limited. (2) Methods: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of LCM during pregnancy and breastfeeding, we report a single-centre case series and provide a comprehensive narrative review of the literature. (3) Results: In total, 22 cases of maternal exposure to LCM throughout pregnancy (1 monotherapy, 21 polytherapy) were identified, resulting in 21 live births (95.5%). Congenital malformations (atrial septal defect) were observed in one offspring exposed to LCM and levetiracetam (4.8%). Twelve newborns were breastfed (57.1%) without neurodevelopmental delay after twelve months. The literature search identified 16 studies, overall reporting data on 627 pregnancies with LCM (236 monotherapy, 391 polytherapy). Among 632 available pregnancy outcomes (3 twin pregnancies and 1 triplet in the polytherapy group) the proportion of live births was 81.3% (514/632). Major congenital malformations were reported in 2.5% (6/236) with LCM monotherapy and 11.9% (47/396) with polytherapy. (4) Conclusions: According to the literature, no major safety concerns, especially in LCM monotherapy, and no specific malformations associated with LCM exposure were identified. Conclusions are limited by the heterogeneity of studies and the small number of monotherapy-exposed cases. Larger, prospective studies with longer follow-up are required.

PharmacyVol. 14(2)
Innsbruck Medical University (AT), Universität Innsbruck (AT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 32%
Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
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