Anti-epileptic drugs and contraception - a quick guide
Last updated 19 Apr 2011, review date due 05 Aug 2013
Some anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) do not have any effect on any forms of contraception that contain hormones. This means the contraception can work properly, to prevent pregnancy.
Some AEDs speed up the way your body uses the hormones that are used in some types of contraception. This can make the contraception work less well, which could lead to an unplanned pregnancy
| These pages are about contraception in the UK. If you are looking for information about contraception in another country, please contact your local epilepsy organisation. |
If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide, go to Table one
If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate, go to Table two
If you take lamotrigine, go to Table three
Table one
| If you take clobazam, clonazepam, ethosuximide, gabapentin, lacosamide, levetiracetam, pregabalin, sodium valproate, tiagabine, vigabatrin or zonisamide |
| These types of contraception should work well for you:
The following type of contraception may work for you (but follow the link for further information): These types of contraception would not work well for you:
|
Table two
| If you take carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rufinamide or topiramate |
| These types of contraception should work well for you:
These types of contraception may work for you (but follow the links for further information):
These types of contraception would not work well for you:
|
Table three
| If you take lamotrigine |
| These types of contraception should work well for you:
The following type of contraception may work for you (but follow the link for further information):
These types of contraception would not work well for you:
|
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