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Antiepileptic Drugs and Becoming Pregnant

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Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy

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Abstract

There is published evidence that intake of antiepileptic drugs may affect the possibility of a woman becoming pregnant. Use of the drugs in her male partner may tend to decrease his libido and sexual activity, thus diminishing the chances of pregnancy occurring. A similar effect on libido may occur in the woman being treated with antiepileptic drugs, and the treatment may be responsible for circulating sex hormone concentration alterations that result in menstrual disturbances, this combination of effects tending to lessen fertility. Taking antiepileptic drugs in the non-pregnant state, particularly the older agents that induce formation of enzymes that catalyse the metabolism of steroidal sex hormones, also tends to decrease the circulating concentrations of steroidal hormones used for contraceptive purposes. This effect may increase the chances of undesired pregnancies occurring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Neurology and Neuropharmacology, University of Queensland, and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    MJ Eadie (Emeritus Professor)

  2. Department of Medicine and Neurology Director of the Australian Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register, University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    FJE Vajda

Authors
  1. MJ Eadie
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  2. FJE Vajda
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Eadie, M., Vajda, F. (2016). Antiepileptic Drugs and Becoming Pregnant. In: Antiepileptic Drugs and Pregnancy. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21434-4_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21434-4_2

  • Publisher Name: Adis, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-21433-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-21434-4

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