Concentrations of lamotrigine in a mother on lamotrigine treatment and her newborn child.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the transfer of lamotrigine in pregnancy and during lactation from a mother on lamotrigine treatment to her child.


METHODS
Concentrations of lamotrigine were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography in umbilical cord serum and in serum samples of the mother and her child as well as in the mother's milk during the first five postpartum months.


RESULTS
In the child lamotrigine serum concentrations (up to 2.8 micrograms ml-1) comparable to those usually achieved in active treatment with lamotrigine were found not only after birth, but also during lactation. A considerable amount of lamotrigine (2-5 mg per day) was excreted in breast milk. No adverse effects were seen in the child.


CONCLUSIONS
The transfer of lamotrigine taking place during pregnancy and lactation should not be neglected. In this case the child should be thoroughly observed for potential adverse effects.
Rambeck
B
B
Department of Biochemistry, Gesellschaft für Epilepsieforschung, Bielefeld, Germany.
Kurlemann
G
G
Stodieck
S R
SR
May
T W
TW
Jürgens
U
U
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D014227:Triazines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine