Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Biotin
Several controlled studies have shown that long-term anticonvulsant treatment decreases blood levels of biotin.^{1 2 3 4} In children, a deficiency of biotin can lead to withdrawn behavior and a delay in mental development. Adults with low biotin levels might experience a loss of appetite, feelings of discomfort or uneasiness, mental depression, or hallucinations. To avoid side effects, individuals taking anticonvulsants should supplement with biotin either alone or as part of a multivitamin.

Calcium
Individuals on long-term multiple anticonvulsant therapy may develop below-normal blood levels of calcium, which may be related to drug-induced vitamin D deficiency.⁵ Two infants born to women taking high doses of phenytoin and phenobarbital while pregnant developed jitteriness and tetany (a syndrome characterized by muscle twitches, cramps, and spasm) during the first two weeks of life.⁶ Controlled research is needed to determine whether pregnant women who are taking anticonvulsant medications should supplement with additional amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

L-Carnitine
Several controlled and preliminary studies showed that multiple drug therapy for seizures results in dramatic reductions in blood carnitine levels.^{7 8 9} Further controlled research is needed to determine whether children taking anticonvulsants might benefit by supplementing with L-carnitine, since current studies yield conflicting results. For example, one controlled study indicated that children taking valproic acid and carbamazepine received no benefit from supplementing with L-carnitine.¹⁰ However, another small study revealed that children taking valproic acid experienced less fatigue and excessive sleepiness following L-carnitine supplementation.¹¹ Despite the lack of well-controlled studies, individuals who are taking anticonvulsants and experiencing side effects might benefit from supplementing with L-carnitine.

Folic acid
Several studies have shown that multiple anticonvulsant therapy reduces blood levels of folic acid and dramatically increases homocysteine levels.^{12 13 14} Homocysteine, a potential marker for folic acid deficiency, is a compound used experimentally to induce seizures and is associated with atherosclerosis. Carbamazepine alone has also been shown to reduce blood levels of folic acid.¹⁵

One preliminary study showed that pregnant women who use anticonvulsant drugs without folic acid supplementation have an increased risk of having a child with birth defects, such as heart defects, cleft lip and palate, neural tube defects, and skeletal abnormalities. However, supplementation with folic acid greatly reduces the risk.¹⁶ Consequently, some healthcare practitioners recommend that women taking multiple anti

Medication Reviews & Side Effects for Anticonvulsants   Write an online review of Anticonvulsants

Review Date: 6/9/2007 Medication: Anticonvulsants - - Very Good Medication Type: Generic Length Taken: More than 1 year Strength: 100 mg X 3 times per day Side Effects: Tollerance (Need to raise dose) Other Products Taken: Vitamins I take Phenytoin. It is generic for Dilantin. I was diagnosed with a Meningioma (benign brain tumor) about 10 years ago, and have been on meds ever since. I take 500 mg. every other day and 600 mg. the other days. I had Gamma Knife Treatment to stop the growth of my tumor. It was very successful, but my tumor is still inside of my skull, so at this point it looks like I will have to take the mediction forever. I do think it makes me spacey sometimes. If I do not eat enough, I get slurred speech and off balance. Overall, this beats being dead! Pam Brown Indianapolis. IN USA

Review Date: 1/31/2008 Medication: Topamax - - I Love It Medication Type: Brand Name Length Taken: More than 1 year Strength: 200 mg X 2 times per day Side Effects: Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss Other Products Taken: Buspar I take Topamax for Trigeminal Neuralgia and I find it extremely beneficial at the present time. I still have some facial pain, but it's reduced by at least 80 percent, and it's better than the alternative which would be surgery. I was overweight and now I'm down to a manageable 115 lbs which was an added bonus. Anonymous USA

Review Date: 8/25/2008 Medication: TOPAMAX - - Very Good Medication Type: Brand Name Length Taken: More than 1 year Strength: 100/200 MG X 2 times per day Side Effects: Depression, Mood Swings, Loss of Energy, Increased Irritability, Increased Sleep, Weight Loss Other Products Taken: My husband takes Topamax (2 x a day) and Keppra (250mg. once a day) for Complex Partial Seizures. He's been on anticonvulsants for nearly 20 yrs. trying approx. 15 different medications before finding the right combination that works for him. Unfortunately, he has aslo been through all the side-effects related to anticonvulsant use, including severe liver problems, mental changes, depression, lethargy, and excessive sleepiness. I nicknamed him Rip Van Winkle because he sleeps so much. I'm so happy to find the info on this website about Biotin and L-Carnitine being helpful in counteracting the fatigue. I currently take both of these supplements and will now share them with my husband. Thank you eVitamins for this website! Vicky B Clinton Twp., MI USA

Review Date: 10/2/2008 Medication: Lamictal - - Average Medication Type: Brand Name Length Taken: Between 6 and 12 months Strength: 300 mg X 1 times per day Side Effects: Anxiety, Euphoria, Mood Swings Other Products Taken: Invega In treatment of my Bipolar, this medicine lifts me up from my low swings most of the time, but sometimes it does it too well & causes mania. So, I have to take another medicine to bring me back down. I also get massive mood swings, so I have to take Invega to stabilize me. I think that too much excitement is put into this medicine, but right now there doesn't seem to be a better option for Bipolar disorder. Anonymous Janesville, WI USA

Review Date: 10/4/2008 Medication: dilantin - the brand name for phenytoin - - Stay Far Away Medication Type: Brand Name Length Taken: Between 3 and 6 months Strength: 300 mg X 1 times per day Side Effects: Depression, Headache, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Nausea, Paranoia, Mood Swings, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Sleep, Loss of Energy, Loss of Sex Drive, Made Me Nauseous, Gave Me The Shakes, Sexual Dysfunction Other Products Taken: panadol and salt tablets I have been taking this drug for just over 3 months after a nasty golf cart accident in which i had a subdural haematoma in my head,now i am having about 90% of the possible side effects, can someone suggest a natural alternative, cause i don't know what its even doing, the doctors won't tell me if its for 6 months or forever and no idea how they measure it cause i feel fine but the drug is making me feel really wierd, it is a lot better than being dead if its this drug keeping me that way but my life is not the same as it was and i really want some guidance, feel free to e-,mail me at michaeldean_7@hotmail.com mickey Tasmania, Australia

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. The "reviews" listed for any medical condition, prescription drug, condition or symtpom is provided specifically from eVitamins and is not associated with healthnotes.

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