THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a Medicines Safety Update advising of new precautions for pregnancy and women of childbearing potential relating to antiepileptic medicines.
The changes bring the Product Information for pneytoin, phenobabital, primidone and zonisamide into line with other antiepileptic medicines, with the updates aiming to raise awareness of "essential preconception care".
The medicines should not be prescribed for pregnant patients unless it is clearly necessary, with potential benefits required to justify the risk to the developing fetus after careful consideration of alternative treatment options.
Women of childbearing potential are also advised to use effective contraception during treatment - tga.gov.au.
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