Lyrica is a popular anti-seizure and anxiety medication that may triple your risk of having a baby with a birth defect, according to a new study.
Study Links Lyrica and Birth Defects
In May 2016, Neurology published a study linking Lyrica with a tripled increased risk of major birth defects. Out of 164 women who used Lyrica during the first six weeks of pregnancy, 6% had a baby with a birth defect. In comparison, only 2% of 656 women who did not use Lyrica had a baby with a birth defect.
Lyrica Birth Defects
All of the birth defects associated with Lyrica occur in the first few weeks of fetal development, before most women are aware of the pregnancy. These defects include:
- Heart defects
- Central nervous system defects (spina bifida, anencephaly, etc.)
- Structural defects in organs
Lyrica and Pregnancy
Lyrica is a “Pregnancy Class C” drug, which means it is known to cause birth defects in animal studies but the risk in people is unknown. Pfizer has asked pregnant women to enroll in a study of birth defects but they do not recommend against using Lyrica during pregnancy.