Vimpat Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: Risk related to epilepsy and antiepileptic medicinal products in general: For all anti-epileptic drugs, it has been shown that in the offspring of women with epilepsy, the prevalence of malformations is two to three times greater than the rate of approximately 3% in the general population. In the treated population, an increase in malformations has been noted with polytherapy, however, the extent to which the treatment and/or the illness is responsible has not been elucidated.
Moreover, effective anti-epileptic therapy must not be interrupted, since the aggravation of the illness is detrimental to both the mother and the foetus.
Risk related to lacosamide: There are no adequate data from the use of lacosamide in pregnant women. Studies in animals did not indicate any teratogenic effects in rats or rabbits, but embryotoxicity was observed in rats and rabbits at maternal toxic doses (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions). The potential risk for humans is unknown.
Lacosamide should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary (if the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the foetus). If women decide to become pregnant, the use of this product should be carefully re-evaluated.
Lactation: It is unknown whether lacosamide is excreted in human breast milk. Animal studies have shown excretion of lacosamide in breast milk. For precautionary measures, breast-feeding should be discontinued during treatment with lacosamide.