Is Eslicarbazepine Safe in Breastfeeding
Question
I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Eslicarbazepine? Is Eslicarbazepine safe for nursing mother and child? Does Eslicarbazepine extracts into breast milk? Does Eslicarbazepine has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Eslicarbazepine influence milk supply or can Eslicarbazepine decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?
Eslicarbazepine lactation summary
- DrLact safety Score for Eslicarbazepine is 3 out of 8 which is considered Low Risk as per our analyses.
- A safety Score of 3 indicates that usage of Eslicarbazepine may cause some minor side effects in breastfed baby.
- Our study of different scientific research indicates that Eslicarbazepine may cause moderate to no side effects in lactating mother.
- Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Eslicarbazepine low risk in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
- While using Eslicarbazepine We suggest monitoring child for possible reactions. It is also important to understand that side effects vary largely based on age of breastfed child and time of medication in addition to dosage.
- Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.
Answer by Dr. Ru: About Eslicarbazepine usage in lactation
Eslicarbazepine or S-licarbazepine is the S-enantiomer of licarbazepine (MHD), the active metabolite of oxcarbazepine (see specific information), an anti-epileptic drug considered to be of low risk during breastfeeding. Since the last update we have not found any published data on its excretion in breast milk. Given the structural equivalence and similar actions to oxcarbazepine, different effects are not likely in infants who are breastfed by mothers undergoing treatment with eslicarbazepine or oxcarbazepine, but until there is more data on this drug in relation to breastfeeding, safer known alternatives are preferred, especially in the neonatal period and in case of prematurity.
Answer by DrLact: About Eslicarbazepine usage in lactation
No information is available on the use of eslicarbazepine during breastfeeding. However, eslicarbazepine is the active metabolite of oxcarbazepine. Limited information indicates that oxcarbazepine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months. Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsants.
Eslicarbazepine Side Effects in Breastfeeding
No specific information is available in mothers taking eslicarbazepine. See the LactMed record on oxcarbazepine for relevant information.
Alternate Drugs
Riluzole(Unsafe)
Valproic Acid(Safe)
Topiramate(Safe)
Primidone(Low Risk)
Lacosamide(Unsafe)
Phenytoin(Safe)
Phenobarbital(Low Risk)
Oxcarbazepine(Safe)
Levetiracetam(Safe)
Eslicarbazepine(Low Risk)
Lamotrigine(Low Risk)
Gabapentin(Safe)
Vigabatrin(Safe)
Felbamate(Unsafe)
Clobazam(Low Risk)
Ethosuximide(Unsafe)
Pregabalin(Low Risk)
Clonazepam(Low Risk)
Acetazolamide(Safe)
Carbamazepine(Safe)
Magnesium Sulfate(Safe)
Zonisamide(Low Risk)