Management of epilepsy in women of childbearing age: Practical recommendations

CNS Drugs

Volumn 20, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 373-387

  Tettenborn, Barbara ^a  

^a CANTONAL HOSPITAL ST GALLEN   (Switzerland)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ANTICONVULSIVE AGENT; CARBAMAZEPINE; ESTROGEN; FELBAMATE; FOLIC ACID; GABAPENTIN; LAMOTRIGINE; LEVIRACETAM; ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT; OXCARBAZEPINE; PHENOBARBITAL; PHENYTOIN; PRIMIDONE; PROGESTERONE; TIAGABINE; TOPIRAMATE; UNCLASSIFIED DRUG; VALPROIC ACID; VIGABATRIN;

CONGENITAL MALFORMATION; COUNSELING; DRUG BINDING; DRUG BLOOD LEVEL; DRUG EFFECT; ECHOGRAPHY; EPILEPSY; FERTILITY; FETUS MONITORING; GROWTH RETARDATION; HEALTH SURVEY; HIGH RISK POPULATION; HUMAN; INCIDENCE; LACTATION; NEONATAL HEMORRHAGE; OVARY POLYCYSTIC DISEASE; PREGNANCY; PREGNANT WOMAN; PREVALENCE; PRIORITY JOURNAL; REVIEW; SEIZURE; SUPPLEMENTATION; TERATOGENICITY;

ABNORMALITIES, DRUG-INDUCED; ANTICONVULSANTS; EPILEPSY; FEMALE; HUMANS; LACTATION; PRACTICE GUIDELINES; PREGNANCY; PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS;

EID: 33646819647     PISSN: 11727047     EISSN: 11727047     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2165/00023210-200620050-00003     Document Type: Review

References (120)

1. Cockrell OC, Eckle I, Goodridge DM, et al. Epilepsy in a population of 6000 re-examined: secular trends in first attendance rates, prevalence, and prognosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1996; 58: 570-6
2. Sander JW, Shorvon SD. Epidemiology of the epilepsies. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1996; 61: 433-43
3. Hauser WA, Annegers JF, Rocca WA. Descriptive epidemiology of epilepsy: contributions of population-based studies from Rochester, Minnesota. Mayo Clin Proc 1996; 71: 576-86
4. Wallace H, Shorvon S, Tallis R. Age-specific incidence and prevalence rates of treated epilepsy in an unselected population of 2 052 922 and age-specific fertility rates of women with epilepsy. Lancet 1998; 352: 1970-3
5. MacDonald BK, Cockerell OC, Sander JW, et al. The incidence and lifetime prevalence of neurological disorders in a prospective community-based study in the UK. Brain 2000; 123: 665-76
6. Kotsopoulos IA, van Merode T, Kessels FG, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of incidence studies of epilepsy and unprovoked seizures. Epilepsia 2002; 43: 1402-9
7. Loiseau P. Human absence epilepsies. J Neural Transm Suppl 1992; 35: 1-6
8. The RESt-1 Group. Social aspects of epilepsy in the adult in seven European countries. Epilepsia 2000; 41 (8): 998-1004
9. Callaghan N, Crowley M, Goggin T. Epilepsy and employment, marital, education and social status. Ir Med J 1992 Mar; 85 (1): 17-9
10. Jalava M, Sillanpaa M. Reproductive activity and offspring health of young adults with childhood-onset epilepsy: a controlled study. Epilepsia 1997; 38: 532-40
11. Wakamoto H, Nagao H, Hayashi M, et al. Long-term medical, educational, and social prognoses of childhood-onset epilepsy: a population-based study in a rural district of Japan. Brain Dev 2000; 22: 246-55
12. Jacoby A, Baker GA, Steen N, et al. The clinical course of epilepsy and its psychosocial correlates: findings from a U.K. community study. Epilepsia. 1996; 37 (2): 148-61
13. Schupf N, Ottman R. Likelihood of pregnancy in individuals with idiopathic/cryptogenic epilepsy: social and biologic influences. Epilepsia 1994; 35: 750-6
14. Crawford P, Hudson S. Understanding the information needs of women with epilepsy at different lifestages: results of the 'Ideal World' survey. Seizure 2003; 12: 502-7
15. Webber MP, Hauser WA, Ottman R, et al. Fertility in persons with epilepsy: 1935-1974. Epilepsia 1986; 27: 746-52
16. Olafsson E, Hauser WA, Gudmundsson G. Fertility in patients with epilepsy: a population-based study. Neurology 1998; 51: 71-3
17. Artama M, Isojärvi JI, Raitanen J, et al. Birth rate among patients with epilepsy: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland. Am J Epidemiol 2004; 159: 1057-63
18. Royal College of Physicians. Adults with poorly controlled epilepsy: clinical guidelines for treatment and practical tools for aiding epilepsy management. London: Royal College of Physicians, 1997
19. Herzog AG, Seibel MM, Schomer DL, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Arch Neurol 1986; 43: 341-6
20. Morrell MJ. Epilepsy in women: the science of why it is special. Neurology 1999; 53 (4 Suppl. 1): S42-8
21. Murialdo G, Galimberti CA, Magri F, et al. Menstrual cycle and ovary alterations in women with epilepsy on antiepileptic therapy. J Endocrinol Invest 1997; 20: 519-26
22. Clayton RN, Ogden V, Hodgkinson J, et al. How common are polycystic ovaries in normal women and what is their significance for the fertility of the population? Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1992; 37: 127-34
23. Farquhar CM, Birdsall M, Manning P, et al. The prevalence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound scanning in a population of randomly selected women. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1994; 34: 67-72
24. Genton P, Bauer J, Duncan S, et al. On the association between valproate and polycystic ovary syndrome. Epilepsia 2001; 42: 295-304
25. Isojärvi JI, Tauboll E, Tapanainen JS, et al. On the association between valproate and polycystic ovary syndrome: a response and an alternative view. Epilepsia 2001; 42: 305-10
26. Isojärvi JI, Laatikainen TJ, Pakarinen AJ, et al. Polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism in women taking valproate for epilepsy. N Engl J Med 1993; 329: 1383-8
27. Isojärvi JI. Reproductive dysfunction in women with epilepsy. Neurology 2003; 61 (6 Suppl. 2): S27-34
28. Murialdo G, Galimberti CA, Gianelli MV, et al. Effects of valproate, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine on sex steroid setup in women with epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1998; 21: 52-8
29. Luef G, Abraham I, Haslinger M, et al. Polycystic ovaries, obesity and insulin resistance in women with epilepsy: a comparative study of carbamazepine and valproic acid in 105 women. J Neurol 2002; 249: 835-41
30. Bauer J, Jarre A, Klingmuller D, et al. Polycystic ovary syn- drome in patients with focal epilepsy: a study in 93 women. Epilepsy Res 2000; 41: 163-7
31. Herzog AG, Schachter SC. Valproate and the polycystic ovarian syndrome: final thoughts. Epilepsia 2001; 42: 311-5
32. Knochenhauer ES, Key TJ, Kahsar-Miller M, et al. Prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome in unselected Black and White women of the southeastern United States: a prospective study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998; 83: 3078-82
33. Azziz R, Woods KS, Reyna R, et al. The prevalence and features of the polycystic ovary syndrome in an unselected population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 2745-9
34. Herzog AG, Seibel MM, Schomer D, et al. Temporal lobe epilepsy: an extrahypothalamic pathogenesis for polycystic ovarian syndrome? Neurology 1984; 34: 1389-93
35. Bilo L, Meo R, Nappi C, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with primary generalized epilepsy. Epilepsia 1988; 29: 612-9
36. Bilo L, Meo R, Valentino R, et al. Characterization of reproductive endocrine disorders in women with epilepsy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86: 2950-6
37. Isojärvi JL, Touboll E, Herzog AG. Effect of antiepileptic drugs on reproductive endocrine function in individuals wtih epilepsy. CNS Drugs 2005; 19: 207-23
38. Jallon P, Picard F. Bodyweight gain and anticonvulsants: a comparative review. Drug Saf 2001; 24: 969-78
39. Pasquali R, Casimirri F, Vicennati V. Weight control and its beneficial effect on fertility in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod 1997; 12 Suppl. 1: 82-7
40. Bauer J, Isojärvi JI, Herzog AG, et al. Reproductive dysfunction in women with epilepsy: recommendations for evaluation and management. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2002; 73: 121-5
41. Patsalos PN. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions: principles and interpretative pitfalls. Epileptologia 1998; 6: 9-19
42. Crawford P. Interactions between antiepileptic drugs and hormonal contraception. CNS Drugs 2002; 16: 263-72
43. Sabers A, Buchholt JM, Uldall P, et al. Lamotrigine plasma levels reduced by oral contraceptives. Epilepsy Res 2001; 47: 151-4
44. Sabers A, Ohman I, Christensen J, et al. Oral contraceptives reduce lamotrigine plasma levels. Neurology 2003; 61: 570-1
45. Crawford P, Chadwick DJ, Martin C, et al. The interaction of phenytoin and carbamazepine with combined oral contraceptive steroids. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1990; 30: 892-6
46. Eldon MA, Underwood BA, Randinitis EJ, et al. Gabapentin does not interact with a contraceptive regimen of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. Neurology 1998; 50: 1146-8
47. Ragueneau-Majlessi I, Levy RH, Janik F. Levetiracetam does not alter the pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive in healthy women. Epilepsia 2002; 43: 697-702
48. Fattore C, Cipolla G, Gatti G, et al. Induction of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel metabolism by oxcarbazepine in healthy women. Epilepsia 1999; 40: 783-7
49. Back DJ, Bates M, Bowden A, et al. The interaction of phenobarbital and other anticonvulsants with oral contraceptive steroid therapy. Contraception 1980; 22: 495-503
50. Coulam CB, Annegers JF. Do anticonvulsants reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptives? Epilepsia 1979; 20: 519-25
51. Mengel H. Tiagabine. Epilepsia 1994; 35 Suppl. 5: S81-4
52. Doose DR, Wang SS, Padmanabhan M, et al. Effect of topiramate or carbamazepine on the pharmacokinetics of an oral contraceptive containing norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol in healthy obese and nonobese female subjects. Epilepsia 2003; 44: 540-9
53. Bialer M, Doose DR, Murthy B, et al. Pharmacokinetic interactions of topiramate. Clin Pharmacokinet 2004; 43: 763-80
54. Crawford P, Chadwick D, Cleland P, et al. The lack of effect of sodium valproate on the pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptive steroids. Contraception 1986; 33: 23-9
55. Shorvon SD, Tallis RC, Wallace HK. Antiepileptic drugs: coprescription of proconvulsant drugs and oral contraceptives: a national study of antiepileptic drug prescribing practice. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2002; 72: 114-5
56. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NINDS - National Institutes of Health/NIH. Seizures and epilepsy: hope through research [online]. Available from URL: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/ detail_epilepsy.htm [Accessed 2006 Mar 21]
57. Fried S, Kozer E, Nulman I, et al. Malformation rates in children of women with untreated epilepsy: a meta-analysis. Drug Saf 2004; 27: 197-202
58. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group. Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet 1991; 338: 131-7
59. Tettenborn B, Genton P, Polson D. Epilepsy and women's issues: an update. Epileptic Disord 2002; 4 Suppl. 2: S23-31
60. Fairgrieve SD, Jackson M, Jonas P, et al. Population based, prospective study of the care of women with epilepsy in pregnancy. BMJ 2000; 321: 674-5
61. Betts T, Fox C. Proactive pre-conception counselling for women with epilepsy: is it effective? Seizure 1999; 8: 322-7
62. Beghi E, Roncolato M, Visoǹa G. Depression and quality of life in women with epilepsy of childbearing age. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 64-70
63. Delgado-Escueta AV, Janz D. Consensus guidelines: preconception counseling, management, and care of the pregnant woman with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 Suppl. 5: 149-60
64. Yerby MS, Kaplan P and Tran T. Risks and management of pregnancy in women with epilepsy. Cleve Clin J Med 2004; 71 (2): S25-37
65. Nulman I, Laslo D, Koren G. Treatment of epilepsy in pregnancy. Drugs 1999; 57: 535-44
66. Perucca E, Crema A. Plasma protein binding of drugs in pregnancy. Clin Pharmacokinet 1982; 7: 336-52
67. Yerby MS, Friel PN, McCormick K. Antiepileptic drug disposition during pregnancy. Neurology 1992; 42 (4 Suppl. 5): 12-6
68. Rambeck B, Wolf P. Lamotrigine clinical pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet 1993; 25: 433-43
69. Tran TA, Leppik IE, Blesi K, et al. Lamotrigine clearance during pregnancy. Neurology 2002; 59: 251-5
70. de Haan GJ, Edelbroek P, Segers J, et al. Gestation-induced changes in lamotrigine pharmacokinetics: a monotherapy study. Neurology 2004; 63: 571-3
71. Tomson T, Perucca E, Battino D. Navigating toward fetal and maternal health: the challenge of treating epilepsy in pregnancy. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1171-5
72. O'Brien MD, Gilmour-White SK. Management of epilepsy in women. Postgrad Med J 2005; 81: 278-85
73. Quality Standards Committee of the American Academy of Neurology. Practice parameter: management issues for women with epilepsy (summary statement). Neurology 1998; 51: 944-8
74. Crawford P, Appleton R, Betts T, et al. Best practice guidelines for the management of women with epilepsy. The Women with Epilepsy Guidelines Development Group. Seizure 1999; 8: 201-17
75. Perucca E. Birth defects after prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs. Lancet Neurol 2005; 4: 781-6
76. NHS, National Institute for Clinical Excellence. Newer drugs for epilepsy in adults. Technology appraisal 76: March 2004 [online]. Available from URL: http://www.nice.org.uk/pdf/TA076fullguidance.pdf [Accessed 1 Apr 2005]
77. Lindhout D, Omtzigt JG. Pregnancy and the risk of teratogenicity. Epilepsia 1992; 33 Suppl. 4: S41-8
78. Kaneko S, Otani K, Hirano T, et al. Teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs: is the prevention possible? Jpn Psychiatry Neurol 1991 Jun; 45 (2): 478-81
79. Nulman I, Scolnik D, Chitayat D, et al. Findings in children exposed in utero to phenytoin and carbamazepine monotherapy: independent effects of epilepsy and medications. Am J Med Genet 1997; 68: 18-24
80. Pearlman MD, Tintinalli JE, Lorenz RP. Blunt trauma during pregnancy. N Engl J Med 1990; 323: 1609-13
81. Cunnington M, Tennis P, International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry Scientific Advisory Committee. Lamotrigine and the risk of malformations in pregnancy. Neurology 2005; 64: 955-60
82. Montouris G. Safety of the newer antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine during pregnancy. Curr Med Res Opin 2005; 21: 693-701
83. Dravet C, Julian C, Legras C, et al. Epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs, and malformations in children of women with epilepsy: a French prospective cohort study. Neurology 1992; 42 Suppl. 5: 75-82
84. Holmes LB, Harvey EA, Coull BA, et al. The teratogenicity of anticonvulsant drugs. N Engl J Med 2001; 344: 1132-8
85. Samŕen EB, van Duijn CM, Koch S, et al. Maternal use of antiepileptic drugs and the risk of major congenital malformations: a joint European prospective study of human teratogenesis associated with maternal epilepsy. Epilepsia 1997; 38: 981-90
86. Canger R, Battino D, Canevini MP, et al. Malformations in offspring of women with epilepsy: a prospective study. Epilepsia 1999; 40: 1231-6
87. Kaneko S, Battino D, Andermann E, et al. Congenital malformations due to antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsy Res 1999; 33: 145-58
88. Samŕen EB, van Duijn CM, Christiaens GC, et al. Antiepileptic drug regimens and major congenital abnormalities in the off-spring. Ann Neurol 1999; 46: 739-46
89. Kaaja E, Kaaja R, Hiilesmaa V. Major malformations in off-spring of women with epilepsy. Neurology 2003; 60: 575-9
90. Holmes LB, Wyszynski DF. North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1465
91. Tomson T, Battino D, Bonizzoni E, et al. EURAP: an international registry of antiepileptic drugs and pregnancy. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1463-4
92. Vajda F, Lander C, O'Brien T, et al. Australian Pregnancy Registry of women taking antiepileptic drugs. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1466
93. Russell AJ, Craig JJ, Morrison P, et al. UK epilepsy and pregnancy group. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1467
94. Morrow JI, Craig JJ, Russell AJC, et al. Which antiepileptic drugs are safest in pregnancy? Epilepsia 2004; 44 Suppl. 8: P096
95. Craig JJ, Russell A, Parsons L, et al. The UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register: update of results 1996-2003. Epilepsia 2004; 45 Suppl. 7: 229
96. Holmes LB, Wyszynski DF, Lieberman E. The AED (antiepileptic drug) pregnancy registry: a 6-year experience. Arch Neurol 2004; 61: 673-8
97. Holmes LB. The teratogenicity of anticonvulsant drugs: a progress report. J Med Genet 2002; 39: 245-7
98. Tennis P, Eldridge RR, on behalf of International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry Scientific Advisory Committee. Preliminary results on pregnancy outcomes in women using lamotrigine. Epilepsia 2002; 43: 1161-7
99. Cunnington MC. The International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry update for The Epilepsy Foundation. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1468
100. Wide K, Winbladh B, Kallen B. Major malformations in infants exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero, with emphasis on carbamazepine and valproic acid: a nation-wide, population-based register study. Acta Paediatr 2004; 93: 174-6
101. Fishman MA. Birth defects and supplemental vitamins. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2000; 2: 117-22
102. Hernandez-Diaz S, Werler MM, Walker AM, et al. Folic acid antagonists during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. N Engl J Med 2000; 343: 1608-14
103. Ogawa Y, Kaneko S, Otani K, et al. Serum folic acid levels in epileptic mothers and their relationship to congenital malformations. Epilepsy Res 1991; 8: 75-8
104. Dansky LV, Andermann E, Andermann F. Marriage and fertility in epileptic patients. Epilepsia 1980; 21: 261-71
105. Yerby MS. Management issues for women with epilepsy: neural tube defects and folic acid supplementation. Neurology 2003; 61 Suppl. 2: S23-6
106. Adab N, Jacoby A, Smith D, et al. Additional educational needs in children born to mothers with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2001; 70: 15-21
107. Adab N, Kini U, Vinten J, et al. The longer term outcome of children born to mothers with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2004; 75: 1575-83
108. Gaily E, Kantola-Sorsa E, Hiilesmaa V, et al. Normal intelligence in children with prenatal exposure to carbamazepine. Neurology 2004; 62: 28-32
109. Cornelissen M, Steegers-Theunissen R, Kollee L, et al. Increased incidence of neonatal vitamin K deficiency resulting from maternal anticonvulsant therapy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993; 168: 923-8
110. Moslet U, Hansen ES. A review of vitamin K, epilepsy and pregnancy. Acta Neurol Scand 1992 Jan; 85 (1): 39-43
111. Cornelissen M, Steegers-Theunissen R, Kollee L, et al. Supplementation of vitamin K in pregnant women receiving anticonvulsant therapy prevents neonatal vitamin K deficiency. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993; 168: 884-48
112. Autret-Leca E, Jonville-Bera AP. Vitamin K in neonates: how to administer, when and to whom. Paediatr Drugs 2001; 3: 1-8
113. Bruno MK, Harden CL. Epilepsy in pregnant women. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2002; 4: 31-40
114. Kaaja E, Kaaja R, Matila R, et al. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy and the risk of bleeding in the neonate. Neurology 2002; 58: 549-53
115. Choulika S, Grabowski E, Holmes LB. Is antenatal vitamin K prophylaxis needed for pregnant women taking anticonvulsants? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2004; 190: 882-3
116. Malone FD, D'Alton ME. Drugs in pregnancy: anticonvulsants. Semin Perinatol 1997; 21: 114-23
117. Hagg S, Spigset O. Anticonvulsant use during lactation. Drug Saf 2000; 22: 425-40
118. Janz D, Dam M, Richens A. Epilepsy, pregnancy and the child. NewYork: Raven, 1982
119. Pennell PB. Antiepileptic drug pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation. Neurology 2003; 61 (6 Suppl. 2): S35-42
120. Bulau P, Paar WD, von Unruh GE. Pharmacokinetics of oxcarbazepine and 10-hydroxy-carbazepine in the newborn child of an oxcarbazepine-treated mother. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1988; 34: 311-3