Risk of Birth Defects Increased by Topamax

A new study has shown that the epilepsy and migraine prevention drug Topamax may increase risk of birth defects in babies if taken during pregnancy.

The study involved 203 women with epilepsy who became pregnant while taking Topamax. Among the 178 live births that occurred, some three babies born to mothers who took Topamax and 13 babies born to mothers who took Topamax and other drugs had major birth defects.

"More research needs to be done to confirm these results, especially since it was a small study," said researcher John Craig, MRCP, of the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The study is published in the latest issue of the journal Neurology.

Source: Medindia
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