Category Archives: Anticonvulsants

Interaction Between Birth Control Preparations and Anti-Epileptic Medications

Interaction Between Birth Control Preparations and Anti-Epileptic Medications

The interaction between specific birth control preparations and anti-epileptic medications should always be taken into consideration when developing a treatment approach, as taking the two simultaneously may decrease the birth control pill’s effectiveness.
An oral contraceptive (OC) is effective because it delivers high doses of estrogen to prevent ovulation. Unfortunately, some anti-epileptic medications alter the metabolism [...]

Can Paxil (Paroxetine) Be Used While Breastfeeding?

Can Paxil (Paroxetine) Be Used While Breastfeeding?

All medications are secreted into the breast milk, although concentrations appear to vary. There is a fair amount of information on the use of Paxil (paroxetine) in nursing women. While Paxil may be detected in the breast milk, there have been no reports of adverse events in the nursing infant. The only situation where one [...]

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Women Taking Valproate

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Women Taking Valproate

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) occurs in 4-7% of women and is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles and hyperandrogenism (facial hair, acne, male-pattern hair loss, acne, or elevated male hormone levels). The majority of women with PCOS also suffer from obesity and insulin resistance. PCOS has been associated with a spectrum of health problems including infertility, [...]

Evaluating the Safety of First-Trimester Exposure to Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Evaluating the Safety of First-Trimester Exposure to Lamotrigine (Lamictal)

Early reports suggested that women with bipolar disorder may be at lower risk for onset or relapse of this disorder during pregnancy and that some women may be able to remain well during pregnancy despite medication discontinuation. However, more recent studies have suggested that recurrence of affective illness during pregnancy is relatively common among women [...]

Lamotrigine and Breastfeeding

Lamotrigine and Breastfeeding

Because rates of postpartum illness are very high in women with bipolar disorder, it is generally recommended that mothers continue treatment with a mood stabilizer throughout the postpartum period to reduce their risk of relapse; however, the use of medications during the postpartum period is complicated by the issue of breastfeeding. All medications are secreted [...]

Anticonvulsants During Pregnancy in Women with Bipolar Disorder

Anticonvulsants During Pregnancy in Women with Bipolar Disorder

Unfortunately the mood stabilizers most commonly used to treat bipolar disorder (including lithium and valproic acid) can increase the risk of certain types of congenital malformations in children exposed [...]