Do Anticonvulsants Reduce the Efficacy of Oral Contraceptives?
- 1 October 1979
- Vol. 20 (5), 519-525
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1979.tb04834.x
Abstract
Women with epilepsy who were also taking oral contraceptives were identified. Of 82 patients taking oral contraceptives, 41 had used both anticonvulsants and oral contraceptives for a total of 955 mo. Documented oral contraceptive (pill) failures [3] occurred during this period, whereas the expected number was 0.12 (relative risk, 25; 95% confidence interval, 5-73). No pill failures were observed in 2278 mo. among women with epilepsy who were taking oral contraceptives but who were not taking anticonvulsants at this time. There is an apparent increased rate of pill failure among women taking anticonvulsants. The advisability of using oral contraceptives rather than 1 of the other forms of contraception when anticonvulsant medication is being used concurrently may need to be reevaluated.Keywords
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