The use of hormonal contraception among women taking anticonvulsant therapy

• Published in: Contraception (Stoneham) Vol. 83; no. 1; pp. 16 - 29
• Main Authors: Gaffield, Mary E., Culwell, Kelly R., Lee, C. Rhoda
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anticonvulsants; Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage; Anticonvulsants - adverse effects; Anticonvulsants. Antiepileptics. Antiparkinson agents; Antiepileptic drugs; Biological and medical sciences; Contraception - methods; Contraceptive methods; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - administration & dosage; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - adverse effects; Drug Interactions; Epilepsy - drug therapy; Estrogen; Female; Genital system. Reproduction; Humans; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Progestogen; Anticonvulsants; Antiepileptic drugs; Drug interactions; Progestogen; Estrogen; Contraceptive methods; Human; Nervous system diseases; Drug combination; Epilepsy; Anticonvulsant; Contraception; Cerebral disorder; Progestagen; Treatment; Central nervous system disease; Female; Contraceptive; Drug interaction; Woman
• ISSN: 0010-7824; 1879-0518; 1879-0518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2010.06.013

Drug interactions between hormonal contraceptives and anticonvulsants, resulting in reduced contraceptive effectiveness and/or increased seizure activity, have been published. We conducted a systematic review, searching PUBMED and The Cochrane Library for articles in any language on use of hormonal contraceptive methods among women taking anticonvulsant therapy from 1966 through 3 May 2010. Forty-three articles were identified and evaluated. Evidence suggests drug interactions occur when combined oral contraceptives (COCs), the levonorgestrel implant (Norplant), or the etonogestrel implant (Implanon) are used concomitantly with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate or lamotrigine. Significant drug interactions were not observed during sodium valproate intake and COC use nor among women using progestogen-only contraceptives and taking lamotrigine. To avoid contraceptive failure or increased seizure activity, women with epilepsy should be offered contraceptive methods that do not interact with anticonvulsant medication.