Evaluation of Teratogenic Activity of Antiepileptic Drug Lamotrigine in Mouse Fetuses

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy can be associated with an increased risk of teratogenicity as well as congenital abnormalities. However, there are numerous discrepancies to determine whether lamotrigine, as an antiepileptic drug, can significantly induce malformation in newborn infants or not. Thus, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the teratogenic effects of lamotrigine on mouse fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 21 pregnant mice were assigned to four groups. Groups 1 and 2 (controls) received mock treatment and ethanol 20%, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 (treatment) were intraperitoneally administered with 25 and 75 mg/kg lamotrigine for three days, respectively. The treatment protocol was performed within the gestational days of 9-18 in all groups. On gestational day 18, 117 fetuses were taken out of the fallopian tube of studied mice and then examined for any anomalies (vertebral, limbs and cranial), followed by a measurement of their height and weight. RESULTS: The results revealed that, in the treated groups, the weight and the height had significantly decreased (p<0.01) and also various anomalies were evident. Moreover, as the dose of lamotrigine increased, the decrease in the weight and the height and rising trend in anomalies were intensified. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, lamotrigine (LTG) could be considered as a risk factor for the development of the anomalies examined.