Key references: Advice for patients with epilepsy

  • Alper K, Schwartz KA, Kolts RL, Khan A. Seizure incidence in psychopharmacological clinical trials: an analysis of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) summary basis of approval reports. Biol Psychiatry 2007;62(4):345–54. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17223086
  • Baker GA, Bromley RL, Briggs M, Cheyne CP, Cohen MJ, Garcia-Finana M, et al. IQ at 6 years after in utero exposure to antiepileptic drugs: a controlled cohort study. Neurology 2015;84(4):382–90. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25540307
  • Chaudhry SA, Jong G, Koren G. The fetal safety of levetiracetam: a systematic review. Reprod Toxicol 2014;46:40–5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24602560
  • Eadie M, Vajda FJE. Topiramate [chapter 9 - Particular antiepileptic drugs and foetal malformations]. In: Antiepileptic drugs and pregnancy - a guide for prescribers. Cham: ADIS; 2016. p. 164–6.
  • Harden CL, Pennell PB, Koppel BS, Hovinga CA, Gidal B, Meador KJ, et al. Practice parameter update: management issues for women with epilepsy--focus on pregnancy (an evidence-based review): vitamin K, folic acid, blood levels, and breastfeeding: report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society. Neurology 2009;73(2):142–9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19398680
  • Harden C, Tomson T, Gloss D, Buchhalter J, Cross JH, Donner E, et al. Practice guideline summary: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy incidence rates and risk factors: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology 2017;88(17):1674–80. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28438841
  • Meador KJ, Baker GA, Browning N, Clayton-Smith J, Combs-Cantrell DT, Cohen M, et al. Cognitive function at 3 years of age after fetal exposure to antiepileptic drugs. N Engl J Med 2009;360(16):1597–605. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19369666
  • Reddy DS. Clinical pharmacokinetic interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormonal contraceptives. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2010;3(2):183–92. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20369030
  • Somerville ER, Cook MJ, O'Brien TJ. Pregnancy treatment guidelines: throwing the baby out with the bath water. Epilepsia 2009;50(9):2172. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19706065
  • Somerville ER, Black AB, Dunne JW. Driving to distraction—certification of fitness to drive with epilepsy. Med J Aust 2010;192(6):342-4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20230353
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Potential risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children born to men taking sodium valproate. Woden, ACT: TGA; 7 March 2025. https://www.tga.gov.au/news/safety-updates/potential-risk-neurodevelopmental-disorders-children-born-men-taking-sodium-valproate
  • Tomson T, Battino D, Bonizzoni E, Craig J, Lindhout D, Perucca E, et al. Dose-dependent teratogenicity of valproate in mono- and polytherapy: an observational study. Neurology 2015;85(10):866–72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26085607
  • Tomson T, Battino D, Bonizzoni E, Craig J, Lindhout D, Sabers A, et al. Dose-dependent risk of malformations with antiepileptic drugs: an analysis of data from the EURAP epilepsy and pregnancy registry. Lancet Neurol 2011;10(7):609–17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21652013
  • Tomson T, Marson A, Boon P, Canevini MP, Covanis A, Gaily E, et al. Valproate in the treatment of epilepsy in girls and women of childbearing potential. Epilepsia 2015;56(7):1006–19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25851171
  • Vajda FJ, Eadie MJ. Maternal valproate dosage and foetal malformations. Acta Neurol Scand 2005;112(3):137–43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16097954