Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking gabapentin

Gabapentin and pregnancy

Gabapentin is not generally recommended in pregnancy as there's not enough information about whether it's safe for your baby.

However, from the small amount of information that is available, there's no clear evidence that it's harmful. It should only be taken if the benefits of the medicine outweigh the possible risks.

If you take gabapentin for epilepsy, it's important that this is well controlled during pregnancy, as seizures can harm you and your baby. Keep taking gabapentin, but talk to your doctor urgently. They may recommend you change to a different medicine.

If you're trying to get pregnant or have become pregnant while taking gabapentin, it's recommended to take a high dose of folic acid (5mg a day). You can get this from your doctor or midwife.

Ideally, you'll take high-dose folic acid for 3 months before you start trying to get pregnant and for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Do not worry if you have not taken it before you get pregnant, but start taking it as soon as possible once you know you're pregnant. It helps your baby to grow normally.

If you take gabapentin around the time of giving birth, your baby may need extra monitoring for a few days after they're born. This is because they may have withdrawal symptoms from gabapentin.

We do not know what the long-term effects of taking gabapentin in pregnancy may be on childhood learning and development. For safety, you'll usually be advised to take it only if the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks.

Gabapentin and breastfeeding

If your baby is healthy, you can take gabapentin while breastfeeding, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.

It's important to keep taking gabapentin to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.

Gabapentin passes into breast milk in very small amounts. It has not been known to cause any side effects in breastfed babies. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.

Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:

• is not feeding as well as usual, or putting on weight as expected
• is more irritable than usual
• is unusually sleepy
• has a stomach upset, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or is being sick (vomiting)
• has a rash

If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or if you're worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.

Carry on taking gabapentin, and keep breastfeeding as usual until you've got advice about your baby's symptoms.

It's important not to share a bed with your baby while you're taking gabapentin.

Gabapentin and fertility

There's no evidence that taking gabapentin affects fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to a doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may wish to review your medicine and prescribe a higher dose of folic acid for you to take (5mg a day) before you become pregnant.

Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor before taking gabapentin if you're trying to get pregnant.