Epilepsy and Driving, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Question 1

What should a person do about driving if they have a dose change or withdraw from anti-epileptic medication

Answer 1

• Stop driving for 6 months then restart
• If seizure occurs
  ==> stop driving for 1 year
  ====> if seizure doesn’t occur after 6 months you can drive

Question 2

If a patient has epilepsy established, and the seizures do not affect consciousness what should a patient do about driving

Answer 2

Stop driving for 1 year

Question 3

If a patient has their first unprovoked single isolated seizure, what should they do about driving

Answer 3

stop driving for 6 months

Question 4

Which 2 anti-epileptic medication does a woman need to be on the pregnancy prevention programme for

Answer 4

• Sodium Valproate
• Topiramate

Question 5

What is co-prescribed to reduce risk of neural tube defects during pregnancy

Answer 5

Folic Acid

Question 6

What is done to reduce the risk of neonatal haemorrhage at birth

Answer 6

Vitamin K injection at birth to child

Question 7

Which of the two teratogenic anti-epileptic drugs cause a cleft plate

Answer 7

topiramate

Question 8

When is the mother encouraged to breastfeed while taking anti-epileptic medication

Answer 8

Monotherapy

Question 9

Which anti-epileptic medication have a high presence in milk

Answer 9

PLEZ

P Primidone
L lamotrigine
E ethosuximide
Z zonisamide

Question 10

Which anti epileptics have highest risk of drowsiness

Answer 10

• Primidone
• Phenobarbital
• Benzodiazepines

Question 11

Which anti epileptics medications have withdrawal effects when stopping breastfeeding

Answer 11

PPLeD

P phenobarbital
P Primidone
L lamotrigine
e
D benzodiazepines