Contraception advice for women with epilepsy

Abstract

A 22 year old student attends your practice asking for contraception. She has idiopathic generalised epilepsy diagnosed five years ago, which is controlled with lamotrigine. She does not plan to conceive in the near future. Active epilepsy affects around 6.4 per 1000 persons,1 Globally, 50% of women and girls with epilepsy are in the reproductive age range.2 Counsel women about the potential teratogenic effects of anti-epileptic drugs and provide information on contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy.3 Consider interactions between anti-epileptic drugs and hormonal contraceptives because using them together can reduce the efficacy of contraception or of seizure control.4 #### What you need to know ### History #### Consider asking about