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Updated: Jun 21, 2026
07:01
Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
Published on: May 16, 2019
Contraception for women with epilepsy.
Evren Burakgazi1, Cynthia Harden, John J Kelly
1Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
Reviews in Neurological Diseases
|July 10, 2009
Summary
Choosing contraception for women with epilepsy is complex due to drug interactions. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can reduce contraceptive effectiveness, necessitating safer alternatives like intrauterine devices.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Women with epilepsy face challenges selecting contraceptive drugs due to potential interactions with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
- Enzyme-inducing AEDs can compromise hormonal contraceptive efficacy and increase teratogenicity risks.
- Recent research clarifies reproductive hormone effects on AEDs, offering new clinical guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the interactions between antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and hormonal contraception.
- To highlight the impact of enzyme-inducing AEDs on contraceptive failure and teratogenicity.
- To discuss alternative contraceptive methods for women with epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on AED-hormonal contraception interactions.
- Analysis of pharmacokinetic data regarding AEDs and reproductive hormones.
- Evaluation of alternative contraceptive strategies.
Main Results:
- Enzyme-inducing AEDs significantly increase the clearance of certain AEDs like lamotrigine when co-administered with combined oral contraceptives, leading to increased seizure frequency.
- Higher doses of oral contraceptives may mitigate failure but introduce other risks.
- Depot injections and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are identified as effective alternatives.
Conclusions:
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs) offer a safe and effective contraceptive option for women with epilepsy, free from drug-drug interactions.
- Subdermal implants may pose a higher pregnancy risk in women on enzyme-inducing AEDs.
- Careful consideration of contraceptive choices is crucial for women with epilepsy to ensure both efficacy and safety.
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