Some Seizure Medications Could Be Quietly Weakening Birth Control
Summary
A new study found that some antiseizure medicines given to people with epilepsy can make hormonal birth control less effective. This happens because these medicines cause the body to break down birth control hormones faster, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy.Key Facts
- About one-third of Americans with epilepsy using hormonal contraceptives may have reduced birth control effectiveness due to antiseizure medicine.
- The study analyzed Medicaid data from 2016 to 2021 covering over 110,000 people with epilepsy of childbearing age.
- Nearly 22,000 people in this group were prescribed birth control methods that could be affected by antiseizure drugs.
- Affected contraceptives include combined pills, progestin-only pills, patches, vaginal rings, and implants—not IUDs.
- Some antiseizure medicines increase liver enzymes that break down hormones in birth control, reducing their protection.
- Overlaps between antiseizure medication and contraceptives lasted a median of just over seven months.
- People older than 35, with drug-resistant epilepsy or intellectual disabilities, had higher chances of these drug interactions.
- Unplanned pregnancies are risky because some antiseizure drugs can cause birth defects, and changing these medicines affects seizure control.
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