Antiseizure drugs teratogenicity

Special Aspects of the Toxicology of Antiseizure Drugs TERATOGENICITY... 

The antiseizure drugs introduced after 1990 have teratogenic effects in animals but whether such effects occur in humans is uncertain. One consideration for a woman with epilepsy who wishes to become pregnant is a trial period without antiseizure medication monotherapy with careful attention to drug levels is another alternative. Polytherapy with toxic levels should be avoided. Folate supplementation (0.4 mg/day) is recommended for all women of childbearing age to reduce the likelihood of neural tube defects, and this is appropriate for epileptic women as well. 

Drug of choice in absence seizures Is established to be teratogenic in humans Life-threatening skin disorders may occur Visual field defects occur in up to one-third of patients Withdrawal of antiseizure drugs can cause increased seizure frequency and severity. Withdrawal is least likely to be a problem with (A) Clonazepam Diazepam Ethosuximide Phenobarbital Phenytoin... 

Several antiseizure drugs have some effectiveness in bipolar affective disorder. Of the dmgs listed, clonazepam does not appear to cause teratogenic effects and would be the safest during pregnancy. The answer is (B). 

---