Hostname: page-component-84c44f86f4-kxkpx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-15T00:55:42.488Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Women's Issues in the Treatment of Epilepsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

J. Bruni
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Background:

The management of women with epilepsy involves a number of important issues including conception control, sexual dysfunction and fertility, the effect of seizures on the fetus, possible changes in seizure frequency during pregnancy, potential teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs and management issues during pregnancy. The primary goal in the treatment of women with epilepsy remains optimal seizure control in the absence of unacceptable adverse effects. The advantages and disadvantages of the new antiepileptic drugs in women remain to be fully established but these new agents allow a wider choice for improved seizure control

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 25 , Issue S4 , November 1998 , pp. S19 - S23
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1998

References

1.Dansky, LV, Andermann, E, Andermann, F. Marriage and fertility in epileptic patients. Epilepsia 1980; 21: 261–271.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.Webber, MP, Hauser, WA, Ottman, R, et al. Fertility in persons with epilepsy. Epilepsia 1986; 27: 746–752.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Herzog, AG, Seibel, MM, Schomer, DL, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Arch Neurol 1986; 43: 341–346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Bilo, L, Meo, R, Nappi, C, et al. Reproductive endocrine disorders in women with primary generalized epilepsy. Epilepsia 1988; 29: 612–619.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Duncan, S, Blacklaw, J, Beastall, GH, et al. Sexual function in women with epilepsy. Epilepsia 1997; 38: 1074–1081.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Nappi, C, Meo, R, DiCarlo, C, et al. Reduced fertility and neuroendocrine dysfunction in women with epilepsy. Gynecol Endocrinol 1994; 8: 133–145.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Isojarvi, JIT, Laatikainen, TJ, Pakarinen, AJ. Polycystic ovaries and hyperandrogenism in women taking valproate for epilepsy. N Engl J Med 1993; 329: 1383–1388.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Isojarvi, JIT, Laatikainen, TJ, Pakarinen, AJ, et al. Menstrual disorders in women with epilepsy receiving carbamazepine. Epilepsia 1995; 36: 676–681.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Herzog, AG. Hormonal changes in epilepsy. Epilepsia 1995; 36: 323–326.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Morrell, MJ. Maximizing the health of women with epilepsy: science and ethics in new drug development. Epilepsia 1997; 38 (Suppl 4) S32–S41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Wooley, DE, Timiras, PS. The gonad-brain relationship: effects of female sex hormones on electro-shock convulsions in the rat. Endocrinology 1962; 70: 196–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12.Landgren, S, Backstrom, T, Kalistratov, G. The effect of progesterone on the spontaneous interictal spike evoked by topical application of penicillin to the cat’s cerebral cortex. J Neurol Sci 1978; 36: 119–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13.Herzog, AG, Klein, P, Ransil, BJ. Three patterns of catamenial epilepsy. Epilepsia 1997; 38: 1082–1088.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.MacLusky, N, Lieberberg, I, Krey, L, et al. Progestin receptors in the brain and pituitary of the bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata): differences between the monkey and the rat in the distribution of progestin receptors. Endocrinology 1980; 106: 185–191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Pfaff, DW, McEwen, B. Actions of estrogens and progestins on nerve cells. Science 1983; 219: 808–814.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Backstrom, T, Zetterlund, B, Blom, S, et al. Effects of continuous progesterone infusion on the epileptic discharge frequency in women with partial epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand 1984; 69: 240–248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Herzog, AG. Intermittent progesterone therapy and frequency of complex partial seizures in women with menstrual disorders. Neurology 1986; 36: 1607–1610.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Lagothetis, J, Harner, R. Electrocortical activation by estrogens. Arch Neurol 1960; 3: 290–297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.Newmark, NE, Penry, JK. Catamenial epilepsy: a review. Epilepsia 1980; 21: 281–300.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Rosciszewska, D. Epilepsy and menstruation. Epilepsia 1987; 12: 373–378.Google Scholar
21.Duncan, S, Read, CL, Brodie, MJ. How common is catamenial epilepsy? Epilepsia 1993; 34: 827–831.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Herkes, G, Eadie, M, Sharborough, E, et al. Patterns of seizure occurrence in catamenial epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 1993; 15: 47–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Ramsay, RE, Slater, JD. Effects of antiepileptic drugs on hormones. Epilepsia 1991; 32 (Suppl 6) S60–S67.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Sabin, M, Exorn, H. Epilepsy and pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 1956; 7: 175–199.Google ScholarPubMed
25.Schmidt, D, Canger, R, Avanzini, G, et al. Change in seizure frequency in pregnant epileptic women. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1983; 46: 751–755.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Knight, AH, Rind, EG. Epilepsy and pregnancy: a study of 153 pregnancies in 59 patients. Epilepsia 1975; 16: 99–110.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27.Perucca, E. Drug metabolism in pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. Pharmacol Ther 1987; 34: 129–143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Yerby, MS, Friel, PN, McCormick, K. Antiepileptic drug disposition during pregnancy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): S12–S16.Google ScholarPubMed
29.Perucca, E, Crema, A. Plasma protein binding of drugs in pregnancy. Clin Pharmacokinet 1981; 7: 336–352.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30.Teramo, K, Hiilesman, VK. Pregnancy and fetal complications in epileptic pregnancies: a review of the literature. In: Janz, D, Bossi, L, Dam, M, et al., eds. Epilepsy, Pregnancy and The Child. New York: Raven Press; 1982; 53–59.Google Scholar
31.Yerby, MS. Pregnancy and epilepsy. Epilepsia 1991; 32 (suppl 6) S51–S59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
32.Yerby, MS, Cawthon, ML. Infant mortality of infants of mothers with epilepsy. Ann Neurol 1994; 36: 330–333.Google Scholar
33.Deblay, MF, Vert, P, et al. Transplacental vitamin K prevents haemorrhagic disease of infant of epileptic mother. Lancet 1982; 1: 1247.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
34.Nelson, KB, Ellenberg, JH. Maternal seizure disorder outcomes of pregnancy and neurologic abnormalities in children. Neurology 1982; 32: 1247–1254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
35.Speidel, BD, Meadow, SR. Maternal epilepsy and abnormalities of the fetus and newborn. Lancet 1972; 2: 839–843.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36.Fredrick, J. Epilepsy and pregnancy: a report from the Oxford linkage study. Br Med J 1973; 2: 442–448.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
36.Gailey, E, Granstrom, ML. Minor anomalies in children of mothers with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 128–131.Google Scholar
37.Granstrom, ML, Gailey, E. Psychomotor development in children of mothers with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42: 144–148.Google ScholarPubMed
38.Gailey, EK, Granstrom, ML, Hiilesmaa, VK, et al. Head circumference in children of epileptic mothers: Contribution of drug exposure and genetic background. Epilepsy Research 1990; 5: 217–222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
39.Scolnik, D, Nulman, I, Rovet, J, et al. Neurodevelopment of children exposed in utero to phenytoin and carbamazepine monotherapy. JAMA 1994; 271: 767–770.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40.Gailey, E, Granstrom, ML. Minor anomalies in children of mothers with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 128–131.Google Scholar
41.Battino, D, Binelli, S, Caccamo, ML, et al. Malformations in offspring of 305 epileptic women: a prospective study. Acta Neurol Scand 1992; 85: 204–207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42.Waters, CH, Belai, Y, Gott, PS, et al. Outcomes of pregnancy associated with antiepileptic drugs. Arch Neurol 1994; 51: 250–253.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
43.Yerby, MS. Pregnancy, teratogenesis, and epilepsy. Neurology Clin 1994; 12: 749–771.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
44.Yerby, MS, Collins, SD. Teratogenicity of antiepileptic drugs. In: Engel, J Jr., Pedley, TA eds. Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Textbook. New York: Lippincott - Raven; 1997; 1195–1203.Google Scholar
45.Nakane, Y, Okuma, T, Takahashi, R. Multi-institutional study on the teratogenicity and fetal toxicity of anticonvulstants: a report of a collaborative study group in Japan. Epilepsia 1980; 21: 663–680.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46.Lindhout, D, Rene, JE, Hoppener, A, et al. Teratogenicity of antiepileptic drug combinations with special emphasis on epoxidation of carbamazepine. Epilepsia 1984; 250:77–83.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
47.Finnell, RH, Buehler, BA, Kerr, BM, et al. Clinical and experimental studies linking oxidative metabolism to phenytoin-induced teratogenesis. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 25–31.Google ScholarPubMed
48.Dansky, LV, Rosenblatt, DS, Andermann, E. Mechanisms of teratogenesis: Folic acid and antiepileptic therapy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5) 32–42.Google ScholarPubMed
49.Grosse, KP, Schwanitz, G, Rott, HD, et al. Chromosomenuntersuchungen bei behandlung mit anticonvulsiva. Humangenetik 1972; 16:209–216.Google Scholar
50.Parke-Davis (Information on file)Google Scholar
51.Glaxo-Wellcome (Information on file)Google Scholar
52.Ben-Menachen, E, French, J. Vigabatrin In: Engel, J Jr, Pedley, TA eds. Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Textbook, Lippincott-Raven 1997; 1609–1618.Google Scholar
53.Reife, RA. Topiramate. In: Shorvon, S, Dreifuss, F, Fish, D, et al., eds. The Treatment of Epilepsy, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Blackwell Science, 1996; 471–481.Google Scholar
54.Yerby, MS. Teratogenic effects of antiepileptic drugs. What do we advise patients? Epilepsia 1997; 38: 957–958.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
55.Samren, EB, van Duijn, CM, Koch, S, et al. Maternal use of antiepileptic drugs and the risk of major congenital malformations: a joint European prospective study of human teratogenesis associated with maternal epilepsy. Epilepsia 1997; 38: 981–990.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
56.Delgado-Escueta, AV, Janz, D, Beck-Mannagetta, G. Pregnancy and teratogenesis in epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 Supplement 5.Google Scholar
57.Delgado-Escueta, AV, Janz, D. Consensus guidelines: preconception counselling, management, and care of the pregnant woman with epilepsy. Neurology 1992; 42 (Suppl 5): 149–160.Google ScholarPubMed
58.MRC Vitamin Study Research Group: prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. Lancet 1991; 338:131–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
59.Van Allen, M, Fraser, FC, Dallaire, L, et al. Recommendations on the use of folic acid supplementation to prevent the recurrence of neural tube defects. Can Med Assoc. J. 1993; 149: 1239–1243.Google ScholarPubMed
60.Kaneko, S, Suzuki, K, Sato, T, et al. The problems of anticonvulsant medication at the neonatal period: is breast feeding advisable? In: Janz, D, Bossi, L, Dam, M, et al. Epilepsy, Pregnancy and The Child. New York, Raven Press 1982; 343–347.Google Scholar
61.Nation, RL, Hotham, N. Drugs and breast feeding. Med J Austr 1987; 146:308CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
62.Kaneko, S, Sato, T, Suzuki, K. The level of anticonvulsants in breast milk. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1979; 7: 624–627.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
63.Kuhnz, W, Helge, H, Nau, H. Primidone and phenobarbital during lactation period in epileptic women: total and free drug serum levels in the nursed infants and their effects on neonatal behaviour. Dev Pharmacol Ther 1988; 11:147–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar