Epilepsy drug link in birth defects

An epilepsy drug taken by thousands of New Zealand women may be twice as likely to cause birth defects as other epilepsy medication.

Preliminary findings from a study by Belfast doctors of more than 2000 pregnant women with epilepsy has found that the drug sodium valproate carries significantly greater risk than alternative medications.

Waikato Hospital neurologist Dr Paul Timmings said he was seriously concerned by the study.

Initial findings suggested that women who took sodium valproate had a 7 per cent risk of giving birth to babies with serious deformities.

These included spina bifida, heart disease and skeletal deformities. Many more had lesser problems, including severe learning disabilities.

Dr Timmings said about half the estimated 16,000 to 19,000 patients taking sodium valproate, known by the brand name Epilim, were women, many of child-bearing age.

He expected specialists would inform women of the risks, but GPs might be prescribing the drug to women of child-bearing age without warning them.

A recent British Epilepsy Association survey revealed that, out of 6000 members who had given birth, one-third received no advice at all during pregnancy.

Women on alternative medications such as lamotrigine - which is available in New Zealand, but can be prescribed only by a specialist - have the risk of having babies with birth defects reduced to 3 per cent.

Dr Timmings said the Government might have to broaden access to the more expensive lamotrigine, as for many women it might be the only option.

He said the harm was done to the foetus in the first trimester, but many women who were taking the medication might not know they were pregnant for the first few weeks.

He advised women taking Epilim to have a "free and frank" discussion with their doctor on best treatments for them.

A spokeswoman for the Government drug-buying agency Pharmac said Epilim, which is fully funded by Pharmac, was available in tablet, oral liquid and injection forms.

The Health Ministry played down the research, saying it was preliminary, but said Government regulatory body Medsafe would continue to monitor the research.

- NZPA

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