Topiramate

FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2024 -- Many women with epilepsy who are of childbearing age might not realize their anti-seizure drugs can raise the risk of birth defects or dampen the effectiveness of their birth control, a new study warns. Likewise, some birth control methods can cause anti-seizure meds to be less effective, researchers reported Friday in a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in Los Angeles. “Many neurologists do not learn about birth control in their training, even though they know that anti-seizure medications may have some risks in pregnancy,” said senior researcher Dr. Sarah Betstadt , an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “We hope this study raises awareness for patients and encourages health care providers from neurology and reproductive health care to work together to ensure the best care for these patients,” Betstadt added in a society news release. For the study, researchers surveyed 107 women ages 18 to 49 who were taking anti-seizure medications about their reproductive plans. Six said they were pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and another 69 said they were using some sort of birth control that could interfere with their anti-seizure meds, researchers said. The survey quizzed women on their knowledge regarding birth control and anti-seizure meds, and found that: “Survey participants may not have known that their answers were wrong and so did not feel they needed more information,” Betstadt noted. Only about a third of the women were receiving medical care that aligned with their reproductive plans, researchers found. Anti-seizure medications that increase the risk of birth defects include valproic acid , topiramate , carbamazepine , phenobarbital and phenytoin. Further, anti-seizure drugs that can make hormonal contraceptives like pills, patches and rings less effective include carbamazepine, phenytoin , phenobarbital, and higher doses of topiramate and oxcarbazepine . Despite that, no anti-seizure drug is as dangerous for an expecting mother or her fetus as uncontrolled seizures , the researchers noted. Women who want to become pregnant should talk with their doctor about drugs that are less risky but still can control their seizures, researchers said. “Neurology and reproductive health care providers should collaborate to provide the safest and most effective care for their patients of reproductive age who are taking anti-seizure medications,” Betstadt said. “This collaboration can help patients navigate their reproductive choices while minimizing drug-drug interactions that may reduce the effectiveness of seizure medications and/or birth control methods,” Betstadt added. Findings presented at medical meetings should be considered preliminary until they’re published in a peer-reviewed journal. Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus affects an estimated 300 individuals in the US. Credit: July Semianovich/Shutterstock. Eton Pharmaceuticals has acquired the US rights to Amglidia, a treatment developed for neonatal diabetes mellitus, from France-based biotechnology company AMMTeK. Amglidia, also known as glibenclamide in Europe, is a patented liquid product and was approved by the European Medicines Agency in 2018. The move is set to align with Eton Pharmaceuticals’ focus on paediatric endocrinology. The product also holds an orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). AMMTeK’s post-approval study, which includes five years of real-world data on efficacy and safety from European subjects, is set to back Eton Pharmaceuticals’ new drug application submission. Eton Pharmaceuticals plans to meet with the FDA in the first quarter of 2025 and submit the NDA in 2026. Eton Pharmaceuticals CEO Sean Brynjelsen stated: “This exciting transaction adds another attractive, patented product candidate to our growing paediatric endocrinology portfolio. “The product aligns with Eton’s expertise and wealth of experience in bringing to market liquid and precision dose formulations for paediatric patients. Currently, there are no FDA-approved oral treatments for neonatal diabetes mellitus. “Amglidia has been used successfully to treat European patients for years, and families and paediatric endocrinologists have expressed to us the significant need for this treatment.” Neonatal diabetes mellitus affects an estimated 300 individuals in the US. Eton Pharmaceuticals acquired the US rights to PKU GOLIKE from Relief Therapeutics in March 2024. PKU GOLIKE is a medical formula product for the dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU), using patented Physiomimic technology. In November 2021, the FDA approved Eton Pharmaceuticals and Azurity Pharmaceuticals’ Eprontia (topiramate) oral solution for seizures and migraine treatment.