Bidirectional interaction between oral contraception and lamotrigine in women with epilepsy - Role of progestins.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of various progestins in combined oral contraceptives (COCs) on lamotrigine (LTG) serum concentrations and, vice versa, the potential impact of LTG on progestin serum levels during the menstrual cycle.

Methods: Twenty women with epilepsy (WWE) undergoing LTG monotherapy and COC (LTG group; mean ± SD [median; range] age 24.2 ± 4.

Spontaneous abortion and the prophylactic effect of folic acid supplementation in epileptic women undergoing antiepileptic therapy.

Background: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like phenytoin (PHE), carbamazepine (CBZ), barbiturates and valproic acid (VPA) interfere with folic acid absorption and metabolism, which in turn can be the cause of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Objective: To study the prophylactic effect of folic acid supplementation with regard to spontaneous abortion and preterm delivery (fetal demise after week 20 of gestational age) in pregnant women receiving AED therapy, as well as benefits of most common dosage and preconceptional commencement.

Methods: Prospective examination of 104 patients, registered in EURAP from 1999-2004 at a single center and a retrospective analysis of data from our epilepsy databank completed with medical records and patients interviews of the Department of Neurology of Innsbruck University Hospital from 1971 to 1999.