HealthDay (12/3, Reinberg) reported, “Pregnant women with epilepsy who are taking carbamazepine (Tegretol) to control seizures may be at a slightly increased risk of having an infant with spina bifida, a new study finds.” The research team “reviewed existing research to determine the risk of birth defects among women taking Tegretol.” They “found that infants of women taking Tegretol were 2.6 times more likely to have spina bifida, compared with women not taking any anti-epileptic medication.”

If you are currently taking Tegretol, or are seeking treatment for epilepsy, we recommend that you check with your doctor before making any changes to your regimen.