New CH.com Forum
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl
Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications,  Treatments,  Therapies >> TOPIRAMATE and pregnancy:warning
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1317998082

Message started by Bob Johnson on Oct 7th, 2011 at 10:34am

Title: TOPIRAMATE and pregnancy:warning
Post by Bob Johnson on Oct 7th, 2011 at 10:34am
March 4, 2011 – Topamax (topiramate) : The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified healthcare professionals and patients of an increased risk of development of cleft lip and/or cleft palate (oral clefts) in infants born to women treated with Topamax (topiramate) during pregnancy. Because of new human data that show an increased risk for oral clefts, topiramate is being placed in Pregnancy Category D. Pregnancy Category D means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on human data but the potential benefits from use of the drug in pregnant women may be acceptable in certain situations despite its risks. The patient medication guide and prescribing information for Topamax and generic topiramate will be updated with the new information.

Title: Re: TOPIRAMATE and pregnancy:warning
Post by AbbysMom on Oct 7th, 2011 at 11:43am
Thanks for sharing. We are going to try to have another child soon and I'm doing a lot of research on how best to treat a CH when pregnant.

Title: Re: TOPIRAMATE and pregnancy:warning
Post by Bob Johnson on Oct 7th, 2011 at 12:41pm
Cephalalgia. 2009 Jan 19. 
Treatment of cluster headache in pregnancy and lactation.

Jüergens TP, Schaefer C, May A.
Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.

Treatment of cluster headache in pregnancy and lactation. Cephalalgia 2009. London. ISSN 0333-1024

Cluster headache is a rare disorder in women, but has a serious impact on the affected woman's life, especially on family planning. Women with cluster headache who are pregnant need special support, including the expertise of an experienced headache centre, an experienced gynaecologist and possibly a teratology information centre. The patient should be seen through all stages of the pregnancy. A detailed briefing about the risks and safety of various treatment options is mandatory. In general, both the number of medications and the dosage should be kept as low as possible. PREFERRED TREATMENTS INCLUDE OXYGEN, SUBCUTANEOUS OR INTRANASAL SUMATRIPTAN FOR ACUTE PAIN AND VERAPAMIL AND PREDNISONE/PREDNISOLONE AS PREVENTATIVES. IF THERE IS A COMPELLING REASON TO TREAT THE PATIENT WITH ANOTHER PREVENTATIVE, GABAPENTIN IS THE DRUG OF CHOICE.

WHILE BREASTFEEDING, OXYGEN, SUMATRIPTAN AND LIDOCAINE FOR ACUTE PAIN AND PREDNISONE/PREDNISOLONE, VERAPAMIL, AND LITHIUM AS PREVENTATIVES ARE THE DRUGS OF CHOICE. As the individual pharmacokinetics differ substantially, adverse drug effects should be considered if unexplained symptoms occur in the newborn.

PMID: 19170693
=======
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2010 Apr;14(2):164-73.
Treatment of cluster headache in pregnancy and lactation.
Calhoun AH, Peterlin BL.
Source: Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Carolina Headache Institute, Chapel Hill, 27516, USA. calhouna@carolinaheadacheinstitute.com

Abstract
Cluster headache (CH) is a neurovascular headache syndrome characterized by headache attacks that occur with a circadian and circannual periodicity. The calculated prevalence of CH in reproductive-aged women is 7.5 of 100,000 women. Although data suggest that CH during pregnancy is a relatively rare condition, when it does occur, attacks remain unchanged in character and severity in the majority of patients. Thus, treatment of CH in pregnant and lactating women may remain a significant therapeutic challenge. This manuscript briefly reviews the epidemiology of CH in women, and then focuses on treatment options for both acute and preventative management of CH in pregnant and lactating women.

PMID:20425207[PubMed]

Title: Re: TOPIRAMATE and pregnancy:warning
Post by Imitrex4Breakfast on Oct 9th, 2011 at 2:09am
Two very good posts Bob!  I already knew that about the Topo ... but I am suprised that Lithium wouldn't effect a pregnant woman & the baby too. I know they are 2 very different drugs (And I have taken both before) ... but it just seems like it would be commen sense not to give Lithium to a pregnant woman. But, I'm no expert on Lithium for sure and do not have any data to make any claims on it either way. Now, if it were a MAN claiming to be pregnant, I'd say he probably needs large doses of Lithium  :D   ...LOL !! J/K !!

New CH.com Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.4!
YaBB © 2000-2009. All Rights Reserved.