ANANDIE VAN DEN BERG
N/A LE ROUX
Blog #7
11 Mar 2021, 12:45
- Anti-epileptic drugs that decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives include: phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine and topiramate. The implications of this are that the female patient can have an unwanted pregnancy, or the patient’s hormone levels will not be regulated as it should because of the contraceptive not reaching therapeutic effective levels to prevent ovulation. Anti-epileptic drugs that are safe to use with oral contraceptives are valproate, lamotrigine, gabapentin, leviteracetam, vigabatrin.
- Yes, oral contraceptives can decrease serum levels of anti-epileptic drugs; examples of these drugs are: lamotrigine and valproate.
- The metabolism of anti-epileptic drugs in neonates are slower than in an adult and the metabolism of these drugs in babies and children are faster than the metabolism in an adult. The metabolism of anti-epileptic drugs in geriatrics are also slower than in an adult, for liver and renal function are not optimal as that in a healthy younger adult.
- Blood plasma blood levels are indicated to see how the patient’s body tolerates the medicine. The blood tests help the doctor to identify the possible allergies, interactions, infections and other abnormalities that may affect the choice of appropriate anticonvulsant medication and helps to monitor the possible drug-induced side effects. The tests are also used to monitor liver and renal function to make sure that the patient’s body can effectively metabolize the drug.