title: Reduction in mortality and teratogenicity following simultaneous administration of folic acid and vitamin E with antiepileptic, antihypertensive and anti-allergic drugs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to evaluate the teratogenic effects on breeding pattern in mice following administration of lamotrigine (LT) and levetiracetam (LV) and its combination with anti-hypertensive and anti-allergic drugs. Moreover, possibility of decrease in teratogenic effect was also evaluated upon simultaneous administration of these combinations with folic acid or vitamin E.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on mature female mice housed in polycarbonate breeding cages. Drugs were administered continuously till the birth of neonates and pups were examined for any teratogenic potential of drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study reveals that teratogenic effects of lamotrigine, methyldopa and loratadine (LTMLO) combination were seems to be reduced upon simultaneous administration with folic acid, while addition of vitamin E was found to be more effective in reducing the mortality rate of levetiracetam, methyldopa and loratadine combination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Teratogenic effects of LTMLO combination were better prevented by folic acid. However, further studies on large number of animals and humans are required before reaching to definite conclusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wahid
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, KSA.
authors.forename: Rafeeq Alam
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, KSA.
authors.forename: Zeeshan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Feroz
keywords: Antiepileptic drugs; folic acid; teratogenicity; vitamin E