the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

22/09/2017

Pregnant Women Still Not Receiving Epilepsy Drug Warnings

A new study has found that a significant number of pregnant women are still not being warned about the potential side effects of a drug used to treat epilepsy.

A total of 2,000 women and girls with epilepsy took part in the study which was commissioned by charities Epilepsy Society, Epilepsy Action and Young Epilepsy.

Of the 475 women currently taking the drug sodium valporate, 68% did not receive the valporate toolkit, which provides full details on the risks the drug poses to fetuses.

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
The Party Photobooth Limited

The toolkit was launched in 2016 after the European Medicines Agency told regulatory agencies to upgrade their warnings for patients.

It has previously been reported that babies exposed to sodium valporate in the womb have a 40% risk of developing neuro-developmental disorders, including learning disabilities and low IQ. They also have a 10% risk of physical abnormalities.

The latest survey revealed that one in six women taking the drug were unaware it could affect the mental and physical development of their children; while just over one in five said that no healthcare professional had spoken with them regarding the risks the drug poses.

The Epilepsy Society has said that women should not be given repeat prescriptions for the drug for more than 12 months without a face-to-face consultation with their GP, while patients are advised not to stop taking the medication without consulting their doctor.

(JP/LM)

Top stories


20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant

Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance

Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth

Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend

Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life

Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle

Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans

Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids

Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters

Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
more infomore info
0.03125 18.189.2.122 Ban:1, But:2 19/04/2024

"A new study has found that a significant number of pregnant women are still not being warned about the potential side effects of a drug used to treat epilepsy."