Tiagabine

The Basics

What is Tiagabine?

Used to help control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy.

Brand names for Tiagabine

Gabitril

How Tiagabine is classified

Anticonvulsants, GABA Agonists, Neurotransmitter Uptake Inhibitors, Neuroprotective Agents

Tiagabine During Pregnancy

Tiagabine pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Tiagabine while pregnant

Tiagabine has been shown to have adverse effects on embryo-fetal development, including teratogenic effects, when administered to pregnant rats and rabbits at doses greater than the human therapeutic dose. An increased incidence of malformed fetuses (various craniofacial, appendicular, and visceral defects) and decreased fetal weights were observed following oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis. This dose is approximately 16 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 56 mg/day, based on body surface area (mg/m²). Maternal toxicity (transient weight loss/reduced maternal weight gain during gestation) was associated with this dose, but there is no evidence to suggest that the teratogenic effects were secondary to the maternal effects. No adverse maternal or embryo-fetal effects were seen at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day (3 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis). Decreased maternal weight gain, increased resorption of embryos and increased incidences of fetal variations, but not malformations, were observed when pregnant rabbits were given 25 mg/kg/day (8 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis) during organogenesis. The no effect level for maternal and embryofetal toxicity in rabbits was 5 mg/kg/day (equivalent to the MRHD on a mg/m² basis).

Taking Tiagabine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Tiagabine?

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.

Maternal / infant drug levels

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.

Possible effects of Tiagabine on milk supply

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

Possible alternatives to Tiagabine