The risk of autism in children increased by taking the antiepileptic drug Topiramate in the mother, warns the ANSM

Topiramate, a drug used to treat epilepsy or migraine, causes more neurodevelopmental disorders like autism in children who were exposed to it when they were in their mother’s womb: this is the conclusion of a study published at the end of May in several Scandinavian countries recently, on several million women.

The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) and health products alerts this Wednesday on its use in France. She asks doctors to do not prescribe this medication, sold under the Epitomax brand, to pregnant women or women planning to become pregnantbecause it can also have an impact on the effectiveness of contraception, in particular the pill. “In pregnant women (…), Topiramate should not be used in epilepsy unless absolutely necessary”writes the ANSM in a press release.

Physical malformations and autistic disorders

According to the study, if taken during pregnancy, Topiramate increases the risk of autistic disorders in children by more than two and a half (2.77) times, and by almost three and a half (3.47) the risk of intellectual disability. This antiepileptic was already known to multiply by three the risk of major malformations in children, when taken by the mother during her pregnancy, in particular microcephaly (reduction in the size of the head and brain), clefts lips and palate (hare beak) or low birth weight.

The ANSM nevertheless invites epileptic patients not to suddenly stop Topiramate, as this might cause more seizures.