Kaplan Y.C.Demir O.2023-06-162023-06-1620211570-159Xhttps://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X19666210211150856https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14365/3723It is challenging to balance the fetal risks associated with the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) against maternal and fetal risks of seizure worsening, and therefore it is very important to define and distinguish the possible risks entailed by different AEDs. This paper aims to undertake a comprehensive review regarding the possible risks of four classical (phenytoin’ carbamazepine’ phenobarbital’ and valproate) and two newer (lamotrigine and levetiracetam) AEDs during pregnancy. The review focuses on major and organ-specific malformations’ dose-dependent risks’ mono vs polytherapy’ and clinical pharmacokinetics. A discussion regarding the safety of AED use during breastfeeding is also provided. © 2021 Bentham Science Publisherseninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessAntiepilepticsBreastfeedingCarbamazepineLamotrigineLevetiracetamMajor malformationsPhenobarbitalPhenytoinPregnancyValproatecarbamazepinecytochrome P450 2B6cytochrome P450 2C9lamotriginelevetiracetamphenobarbitalphenytoinvalproic acidanticonvulsive agentcarbamazepinelamotriginelevetiracetamphenobarbitalphenytoinvalproic acidbody weight lossbreast feedingcardiovascular malformationcholestatic hepatitiscleft lipcongenital malformationdrug safetyfemalegestational agehumanhypospadiasleg inequalityliver injurymonotherapymuscle hypotonianeural tubepregnancyprevalenceReviewseizurespinal dysraphismbreast feedingepilepsypregnancypregnancy complicationAnticonvulsantsBreast FeedingCarbamazepineEpilepsyFemaleHumansLamotrigineLevetiracetamPhenobarbitalPhenytoinPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsValproic AcidReview10.2174/1570159X196662102111508562-s2.0-85119579157