Patient's question:
Pregnant women with epilepsy, will taking Western medicine to treat epilepsy be dangerous?Doctor's answer:
Epileptic patients who become pregnant may experience fetal malformations due to antiepileptic Western medications, with a malformation rate ranging from 2.2% to 13.8%. Common malformations include cleft palate, cleft lip, and heart abnormalities. To prevent fetal malformations, it is best to take traditional Chinese medicine. Symptom control should last for more than 3 years, and the patient's age should not exceed 35. If the patient or their family has a history of genetic disorders, they should avoid pregnancy. Patients who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or given birth to abnormal infants should be particularly cautious with subsequent pregnancies. The adverse effects of Western medications on the fetus are primarily due to liver metabolism. Fetal tissues and the placenta can lead to reduced serum concentrations of antiepileptic drugs, making it difficult to control seizures. If the dosage is increased, it can harm both the mother and the fetus. It is recommended that if medication is necessary during pregnancy, professional medical consultation is advisable, and treatment should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.