Updated advice for women on lamotrigine and the pill
Prescribing information for lamotrigine (Lamictal) has been updated following new data showing that the drug interacts with combined oral contraceptives.
GlaxoSmithKline, the product’s manufacturer, has sent a letter
to health care professionals informing them that taking lamotrigine with
oral contraceptives may result in reduced effectiveness of the contraceptive,
and that the use of effective non-hormonal methods of contraception should
be considered.
Reduced seizure control may occur in women on a stable dose of lamotrigine
who start on an oral contraceptive, GSK warns, and the maintenance dose
of the antiepileptic may need to be doubled. Similarly, following withdrawal
of an oral contraceptive the dose of lamotrigine may need to be reduced
by as much as 50 per cent to avoid adverse effects.
GSK also says that lamotrigine levels may decrease during pregnancy and
quickly revert after delivery, so women taking the drug must be closely
monitored during and after
pregnancy.
Notice-board p77 |
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