Topiramate: Screen patients for pregnancy risk, says drug agency

Topiramate, a migraine and antiseizure medicine, will no longer be prescribed to women or girls unless they fulfil the requirements of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced.1While topiramate has been contraindicated in pregnancy for the prevention of migraine since 2010, the drug is now also contraindicated in women of childbearing potential unless they agree to use birth control and take a pregnancy test before starting treatment, said a drug safety update on 20 June. It is also contraindicated in pregnancy for epilepsy unless there is no other suitable treatment.The announcement follows a review of the latest evidence, which found that taking topiramate during pregnancy was associated with “significant harm to the unborn child,” including “a higher risk of congenital malformation, low birth weight and a potential increased risk of intellectual disability, autistic spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.”2However, the MHRA has…
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