Lamotrigine and pregnancy
Lamotrigine may be taken during pregnancy if it's needed to keep you well.
Do not stop taking lamotrigine if you become pregnant. Talk to your doctor, as they may want to review your medicine and may need to change your dose.
If you're trying to get pregnant or have become pregnant while taking lamotrigine, your doctor or midwife should recommended that you take a high dose of folic acid (5mg a day). Speak to them about getting it on prescription.
Ideally, it's best to 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 that you are pregnant. It helps your baby to grow normally.
Your baby may need extra monitoring for a few days after they're born. This is because they can sometimes have withdrawal symptoms from lamotrigine.
Lamotrigine and breastfeeding
If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, you can take lamotrigine while you're breastfeeding.
If you were taking lamotrigine during pregnancy, your dose may need to be reduced once you have given birth.
It's important to keep taking lamotrigine to keep you well. Do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.
Lamotrigine can pass into breast milk in different amounts. These amounts are usually small but sometimes it may pass into breast milk in larger amounts.
There have been some reports of side effects in breastfed babies, including drowsiness, poor feeding, skin rashes, muscles being more floppy than usual and, very rarely, breathing problems or effects on the blood. However, many babies do not get any side effects.
If you notice your baby has any of these side effects, or is not feeding as well as usual, or you have any other concerns about them, talk to your pharmacist, health visitor, midwife or doctor as soon as possible.
Lamotrigine and fertility
There's no evidence to suggest that taking lamotrigine causes fertility problems in either men or women.
Speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment.
Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:
- trying to get pregnant
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
Find out more about how lamotrigine can affect you and your baby on the Best Use of Medicine in Pregnancy (BUMPS) website.