Tiagabine and Breastfeeding

Summary of use during lactation

Monitor the infant for drowsiness, adequate weight gain, and developmental milestones, especially in younger, exclusively breastfed infants and when using combinations of anticonvulsant or psychotropic drugs. Because there is very limited published experience with tiagabine during breastfeeding, other agents may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Drug levels in milk and infant serum

Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date. Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects in breastfed infants

One mother breastfed her infant while taking tiagabine 24 mg and then 20 mg daily.[1] No adverse effects were reported in 10 newborns who were 4 to 23 days old who were breastfed during maternal intake of levetiracetam 1000 to 3000 mg daily. One mother was also taking tiagabine 30 mg daily, clobazam 45 mg daily and oxcarbazepine 600 mg daily.[2]

Effects on lactation and breastmilk

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Alternative drugs to consider

(Seizure Disorder) Carbamazepine, Divalproex, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Oxcarbazepine, Phenytoin, Valproic Acid

References

1. Neppe VM. Successful tiagabine monotherapy during pregnancy and lactation: Clinical and serum data. Epilepsia 2000;41 (Suppl 7):200-1. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1157.2000.tb01727.x
2. Tomson T, Palm R, Kallen K, et al. Pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam during pregnancy, delivery, in the neonatal period, and lactation. Epilepsia 2007;48:1111-6.17381438 PubMed