title: Is carbamazepine safe to take during pregnancy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some of my pregnant patients are afraid to take their antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy because of the known risk of malformations and the neurodevelopmental problems associated with valproic acid. Are there similar concerns with carbamazepine?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar to valproic acid, carbamazepine increases the risk of neural tube defects; however, it does not increase the risk of other malformations. Carbamazepine is also not associated with an increased risk of developmental delay.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matlow
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine