Ethosuximide
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Ethosuximide can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a specialist.
What is it?
Ethosuximide (Emeside®, Epesri®) is used to treat some types of epilepsy.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking ethosuximide in pregnancy?
Ethosuximide prevents seizures, which can be dangerous or life-threatening and can lead to pregnancy complications.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking ethosuximide during pregnancy?
The very small amount of available information on ethosuximide use in pregnancy does not show that it harms the baby. More research is needed to confirm this.
As a precaution, ethosuximide is only prescribed in pregnancy when there is no other safer treatment, and the benefits outweigh the possible risks. Your doctor will help you decide whether ethosuximide treatment should be continued in pregnancy.
Babies exposed to ethosuximide around the time of delivery might have some withdrawal symptoms after birth. These can be treated if necessary and usually pass quickly.
Some epilepsy medicines can affect folic acid levels. If you are taking ethosuximide while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, your doctor will prescribe you a high dose folic acid supplement (5mg/day).
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking ethosuximide?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat epilepsy. However, if your seizures are well-controlled with ethosuximide, staying on it may be the safest option to keep you well and avoid pregnancy complications.
If you are planning a pregnancy, please speak to your GP or specialist to determine whether ethosuximide is still the best medicine. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking ethosuximide, you should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity by your GP or specialist.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
It is very important to take any medicines prescribed to treat epilepsy. Uncontrolled seizures can be serious and can lead to pregnancy complications.
Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk about any concerns that you might have.
Do not stop ethosuximide without speaking to your GP or specialist.
Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK will be offered a very detailed anomaly scan, usually at around 20 weeks of pregnancy, as part of their routine antenatal care. If you have taken ethosuximide in the first trimester you may be offered this scan slightly earlier than usual.
Ethosuximide levels in your body might get lower during later pregnancy due to normal changes to your body. Your doctor might offer you a regular review of your symptoms to make sure the dose you are taking is still right.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken ethosuximide?
We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes ethosuximide.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.