Is Gabapentin (Neurontin) Safe During Pregnancy? – Gabapentin And Pregnancy
Gabapentin is a medication that is used to treat seizures and nerve pain. It is also sometimes prescribed for anxiety disorders. While it is not entirely clear whether or not gabapentin is safe to take during pregnancy, most healthcare providers believe it is safe to use in moderation. However, if you are pregnant and have any questions or concerns about taking gabapentin, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider.
Some research suggests that gabapentin may increase the risk of congenital disabilities, so it is essential to weigh the risks and benefits before taking this medication during pregnancy. If you are taking gabapentin for seizures, it is essential to work with your healthcare provider to ensure that you are taking the lowest possible dose that is still effective.
Overall, gabapentin is considered a relatively safe medication for pregnant women, but it is always important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication during pregnancy.
What Is Gabapentin?
Gabapentin, also known as Neurontin, is a drug used to treat seizures and epilepsy in adults, making it an anti-convulsant drug. Similarly, gabapentin also treats neuropathic pain in adults who are suffering from shingles or herpes.
This is because gabapentin targets the nerves and chemicals in the brain and the body to bring relief to the neuropathic pain, and also, to control the seizures.
Who Needs To Use Gabapentin?
Every adult who needs to receive treatment related to their epilepsy and those diagnosed with herpes or shingles with an unbearable capacity of pain can use gabapentin.
Is Gabapentin Safe During Pregnancy?
The use of gabapentin drug is done under strict monitoring of a medical supervisor. A typical adult needs careful observance when using this drug because of its known and unknown side effects. On the other hand, the gabapentin dose is also strictly monitored to avoid the overdosage of the drug.
Therefore, when it comes to pregnancy, the gabapentin drug is only recommended when the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. A pregnant woman must consult with her doctor before taking this drug. The possible side effects, risks, and complications are too hazardous to avoid it, and making this drug blatantly can lead to serious health effects on the mother, as well as the baby.
If you have a condition where you experience seizures or if you have shingle or herpes, then do mention this to your doctor so that they can advise you with the best drugs or dose to control your condition even during pregnancy.
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Are There Birth Defects (Congenital Disabilities) With The Use Of Gabapentin?
Many pieces of research and studies have been conducted to see if gabapentin affects the baby. The data is minimal, and the lack of data has made it harder to conclude.
According to the data in hand, researches do know that gabapentin does have any link to one particular birth defects (Congenital Disabilities), albeit, it does not exclude the risk of birth defect especially if the pregnant woman would take gabapentin during her first three months which the time where the baby’s organs are developing.
On the contrary, the chances of birth before the end of the term and the chances of the baby having low birth weight do increase, but this research still needs more support. At the same time, there is no connection between gabapentin with miscarriages and stillbirth.
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Is There An Alternative Drug For Gabapentin?
Gabapentin is generally not prescribed to pregnant women. It is only suggested when a pregnant woman is suffering from severe forms of neuropathic pain and seizures. This means the doctor will carefully study the situation of the pregnant woman and prescribe her the drug when he or she knows that the use of the drug will bring more health benefits than not using it at all.
But, considering the fact that gabapentin does have side effects that can be lethal, it still safe to use other drugs for the treatment of seizures and neuropathic pain if the woman is suffering a lot. A pregnant woman should speak with her doctor about this and know that the doctor would advise her the best according to her situation. It is crucial for the woman to mention to her doctor that she is pregnant as soon as she finds out about it in case she previously had epilepsy and neuropathic pain.
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