Expectant mothers who take anti-epilepsy drugs during pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks, may have a higher risk of giving birth to a child with a birth defect. One of the drugs being examined for this potential risk is  Neurontin (gabapentin).

Treating epilepsy in pregnancy has been a high concern of the medical community for years. In general, pregnant women should avoid medications when they can. However, many expectant mothers require epilepsy medication to protect themselves and their unborn child from seizures. Anti-seizure medication can also be used to treat migraines and other forms of pain. In some cases, taking epilepsy medication while pregnant may be worth the risk of potential Neurontin birth defects.

However, Neurontin has not been adequately studied in order to determine what the risk of gabapentin birth defects actually is. The FDA categorized Neurontin under pregnancy category C. This means that the drug went through animal testing without any red flags. However, no human studies were conducted at the time of categorization.

Neurontin has been connected with new borns with cleft palates, heart defects, spina bifida, and other birth defects common associated with drugs that treat epilepsy in pregnancy.

Neurontin Pregnancy Safety

Studies have been performed on several epilepsy medications, particularly the older ones, to determine the dangers of treating epilepsy in pregnancy.

One study was performed in 2011 that examined some of the newer anti-seizure drugs, and looked for potential birth defects from gabapentin and other epilepsy medication dangers. The study did not find a definite increase in birth defects, but the researchers determined that not enough women were included in the study for it to be conclusive. Roughly 1,500 women who had taken a second-generation epilepsy medication were included in the study.

Epilepsy in pregnancy can be scary for many expectant mothers due to the uncertainty surrounding many of the medications. Because it is necessary for some women to take epilepsy medication during pregnancy, there is a great concern on which drugs will carry the least amount of risk.

Gabapentin birth defects have allegedly not been adequately warned against by the drug maker. A Neurontin birth defect lawsuit class action lawsuit investigation has been launched to help women whose children suffered due to the lack of information concerning Neurontin pregnancy safety.

Birth defects associated with anti-epilepsy drugs include:

• Cleft palate
• Craniosynostosis (skull malformations)
• Other bone malformations
• Heart defects
• Hydroureter and/or hydronephrosis
• Hypospadias (an abnormality in the opening of the urethra in boys)
• Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)
• Spina bifida
• Other congenital defects