Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet Breastfeeding
It is a well known fact that breastfeeding is best source of nutrition for infants. Breast milk provides minerals, vitamins and antibodies in most acceptable format when they need it. Nutrition taken by mother passes to breast-milk and same thing applies to medicines taken by mothers. Not all drugs cause problem for baby but some do. Lets analyze if Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet is safe for baby while breastfed.

What is Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet used for?


Lamotrigine extended-release is indicated for: •Adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients aged 13 years and older. (1.1) •Conversion to monotherapy in patients aged 13 years and older with partial-onset seizures who are receiving treatment with a single AED. (1.2) Limitation of use: Safety and effectiveness in patients younger than 13 years have not been established. (1.3) 1.1 Adjunctive Therapy Lamotrigine extended-release is indicated as adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures and partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients aged 13 years and older. 1.2 Monotherapy Lamotrigine extended-release is indicated for conversion to monotherapy in patients aged 13 years and older with partial-onset seizures who are receiving treatment with a single antiepileptic drug (AED). Safety and effectiveness of lamotrigine extended-release have not been established (1) as initial monotherapy or (2) for simultaneous conversion to monotherapy from two or more concomitant AEDs. 1.3 Limitation of Use Safety and effectiveness of lamotrigine extended-release for use in patients younger than 13 years have not been established.

Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet while breastfeeding safe or not? Can there be any side effects for infant while using it during breastfeeding?

Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet low risk for breastfeeding
Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet contains only one active ingredient that is Lamotrigine. We have analyzed the usage of Lamotrigine in breastfeeding and our analysis suggest that Lamotrigine poses Low risk for infant while breastfeeding and hence Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet itself shall be considered Low risk item for breastfeeding.

Statement of Manufacturer/Labeler about breastfeeding usage
8.3 Nursing Mothers Lamotrigine is present in milk from lactating women taking lamotrigine extended-release. Data from multiple small studies indicate that lamotrigine plasma levels in human milk-fed infants have been reported to be as high as 50% of the maternal serum levels. Neonates and young infants are at risk for high serum levels because maternal serum and milk levels can rise to high levels postpartum if lamotrigine dosage has been increased during pregnancy but not later reduced to the pre-pregnancy dosage. Lamotrigine exposure is further increased due to the immaturity of the infant glucuronidation capacity needed for drug clearance. Events including apnea, drowsiness, and poor sucking have been reported in infants who have been human milk-fed by mothers using lamotrigine; whether or not these events were caused by lamotrigine is unknown. Human milk-fed infants should be closely monitored for adverse events resulting from lamotrigine. Measurement of infant serum levels should be performed to rule out toxicity if concerns arise. Human milk-feeding should be discontinued in infants with lamotrigine toxicity. Caution should be exercised when lamotrigine extended-release is administered to a nursing woman.

Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys


Lamotrigine while Breastfeeding

Low Risk

CAS Number: 84057-84-1

As high as therapeutic levels of this drug have been found in the serum of infants (35-50% of maternal serum level). Side-effects were not observed, neither developmental nor IC derangements at long term follow-up among hundreds of children of treated mothers. A case was published of apnea in a newborn baby whose mother was on a very high dose of Lamotrigine (850 mg a-day). During pregnancy, it increases the clearance of Lamotrigine and other antiepileptic medication that warrants an increase in dosage in this period. After birth, the serum level rapidly increases with a risk of harm on both the mother and the infant, whenever dose is not reduced to that previous from pregnancy. An infant, 1 1/2 months old, whose mother was on Lamotrigine, resulted affected with Abstinence Syndrome soon after sudden weaning.

Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet Breastfeeding Analsys - 2


Lamotrigine while Breastfeeding

CAS Number: 84057-84-1

Occasional adverse reactions have been reported in infants who receive lamotrigine in milk, but long-term exposure does not appear to affect infant growth and development. Breastfed infants whose mothers are taking lamotrigine have relatively high plasma lamotrigine levels. Neonates are particularly at risk for high plasma levels because their ability to metabolize the drug by glucuronidation is limited, plasma protein binding is relatively low, and maternal plasma and milk levels can rise dramatically in the immediate postpartum period if the dosage is not reduced to the prepregnancy dosage.[1][2] If lamotrigine is required by the mother, it is not necessarily a reason to discontinue breastfeeding, because many infants have been breastfed without adverse reactions. However, breastfed infants should be carefully monitored for side effects such as apnea, rash, drowsiness or poor sucking, including measurement of serum levels to rule out toxicity if there is a concern. Monitoring of the platelet count and liver function may also be advisable. If an infant rash occurs, breastfeeding should be discontinued until the cause can be established.


What should I do if already breastfed my kid after using Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet?

Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet is in the category of low risk, if you have already used it then its not a big deal if health and behavior of baby is good. However your health care provider shall be aware of the fact that you have used Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet so you should inform him based on your convenience.


I am nursing mother and my doctor has suggested me to use Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet, is it safe?

Though Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet dose not comes in category of safe drugs rather it comes in category of low risk but if your doctor is aware that you are breastfeeding your baby and has still recommended it then its advantages must be outweighing the risks.


If I am using Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet, will my baby need extra monitoring?

Not much monitoring required while using Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet


Who can I talk to if I have questions about usage of Lamotrigine Extended Release Tablet in breastfeeding?

US
National Womens Health and Breastfeeding Helpline: 800-994-9662 (TDD 888-220-5446) 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

UK
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300-100-0212 9.30am to 9.30pm, daily
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: 0300-330-5453
La Leche League: 0345-120-2918
The Breastfeeding Network supporter line in Bengali and Sylheti: 0300-456-2421
National Childbirth Trust (NCT): 0300-330-0700

Australia
National Breastfeeding Helpline: 1800-686-268 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Canada
Telehealth Ontario for breastfeeding: 1-866-797-0000 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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