Declining use of sodium valproate linked to fall in birth defects among children, study results show Children exposed to levetiracetam, oxcarbazepine and lamotrigine in the womb had the lowest prevalence of major congenital malformations.…
How our integrated care system is taking steps to minimise the risks of sodium valproate North Central London Integrated Care System has piloted new guidelines and a local dashboard to ensure there is a safety net in place for females taking sodium valproate.…
UK regulator to consider EMA recommendation to avoid topiramate in pregnancy Exclusive: The UK medicines regulator said it would carefully consider recommendations made by the European Medicines Agency, which were published following a review of data showing an increased risk of developmental disorders among children exposed to topiramate before birth.…
‘Artificial pancreas’ offers better glycaemic control than standard therapy for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, study reveals Pregnant women treated with hybrid closed-loop therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus spent less time at hyperglycaemic state, gained less maternal weight and had fewer hypertensive complications.…
Metformin for gestational diabetes does not increase preterm births, study results suggest The results also suggested that pregnant women given metformin were less likely to need insulin for their gestational diabetes.…
‘Exciting’ trial results show NSAID taken with emergency contraception could improve efficacy Using data from 860 people in Hong Kong, researchers found that the percentage of pregnancies prevented was significantly higher in those who took piroxicam plus levonorgestrel compared with those assigned to take placebo and levonorgestrel.…
Patient safety commissioner begins work on compensating families affected by sodium valproate Exclusive: The patient safety commissioner will publish a report on redress options for people affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.…
Avoid prescribing NSAIDs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, advises medicines regulator The regulator has advised clinicians that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories after 20 weeks of pregnancy should only be prescribed if clinically required and at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time.…
How to advise women on the safe use of medicines while breastfeeding Pharmacists should understand the pharmacokinetic principles influencing a drug’s passage through breast milk to confidently promote breastfeeding as an important public health measure.…
Pre-eclampsia: identification and management Access to prenatal care, early recognition and detection of risk factors, careful monitoring and appropriate management are essential to prevent serious complications of hypertension in pregnancy.…