Interactions between non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants and antiepileptic drugs

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent cause of stroke. Secondary prophylaxis by oral anticoagulants (OAC) is recommended after stroke in AF-patients. OAC can be achieved by vitamin-K antagonists (VKAs) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) like dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban or edoxaban. Seizures are frequent after stroke, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are indicated. The review, based on a literature research, aims to give an overview about pharmacokinetic knowledge and clinical data about drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between NOACs and AED. Carbamazepine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin and valproic acid might decrease the effect of NOACs by inducing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity. Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and topiramate might decrease the effect of NOACs by inducing CYP3A4 activity. Controversial data - inhibition as well as induction of CYP3A4 - were found about valproic acid. The relevance of these DDIs is largely unknown since there are only sporadic case reports available. To increase the knowledge about DDIs between NOACs and AEDs we suggest subgroup analyses addressing effects and safety of VKAs versus NOACs in patients with AF on AEDs, in case they have been included in previously completed or still ongoing trials or registries. This could be easily feasible and would be desirable in view of the large data already accumulated.