Oral Contraceptives and Lamotrigine (Anti Epileptic)?

Question

I am on both the Lamotrigine for Epilepsy and Femodette for Contraceptive reasons. I have heard that anti-epileptic medications break down the oral contraceptive faster therefore reducing its effectiveness.. does anyone know this for sure? I do not want to run the risk and need to know other options if its an issue! Thanks!

Answer 1

Type Lamotrigine and Femodette into any search engine.  Ask the doctors who prescribed both meds.  I'm sure your pharmacy includes patient information leaflets when you get your prescriptions filled - read them!!!!   You can also ask your pharmacist.   By the way, no contraceptive, oral or otherwise, is 100% effective against pregnancy.  I know so many women who got pregnant on "The Pill", sometimes I've thought it's actually a fertility drug!!  <gg>

Answer 2

Background

Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) stimulate the metabolism of oral contraceptive steroids, thereby reducing contraceptive efficacy. A small case series suggested that a reverse interaction occurs with lamotrigine, i.e. that oral contraceptives may lower plasma lamotrigine levels markedly (1).

Aim

To assess the influence of steroid contraceptive steroids on plasma lamotrigine levels in women receiving stable lamotrigine therapy.

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