![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bulldog2 on January 3, 2007, at 13:59:41
This was written by a doctor on another site.Combining anticonvulsants with your meds may be reducing their effectiveness.
Certain substances, particularly some anticonvulsant medications, are known as "enzyme inducers". Such substances speed up certain liver enzymes which break down medications and other substances, including hormones. Examples include Carbamazine (Tegretol), Topiramate (Topamax), Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Phenobarbital (a barbiturate), and Lamotrigine (Lamictal - albeit for most people weakly). These induce the liver to get ride of some reproductive hormones faster. Women on birth control pills, particularly, have to be aware of the interaction since an unplanned pregnancy may be the result.
Not all anticonvulsant medications have such an interaction. Valproic Acid (Depakote), for example, is known as an "enzyme inhibitor" - it slows down the break down of some substances or medications. Gabapentin (Neurontin) has no such liver interaction. Zonisamide (Zonegran) is another example. The liver induction also varies from person to person. For example, in the cited medline abstract, Lamictal did not show a reduction in testosterone for the men tested. However, since it does induce liver enzymes mildly, such as result may vary depending on the particular person. Off the top of my head, Pregabalin (Lyrica) may also be an anticonvulsant that does not induce liver enzymes (though I would have to check the PDR to check on this).
Anticonvulsant medications do reduce cognitive functioning as they work to reduce brain activity known as seizures. They reduce a person's I.Q. a bit, depending on the dose. This may itself reduce libido, change mood, etc.
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2007, at 14:53:53
In reply to Anticonvulsants Effects On Meds and Hormones, posted by bulldog2 on January 3, 2007, at 13:59:41
Is this only on high does for bipolar or as an augmentor too. Love Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on January 3, 2007, at 15:16:16
In reply to Re: Anticonvulsants Effects On Meds and Hormones » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2007, at 14:53:53
The doctor didn't mention at what doses. I would think it would be dose dependent. The higher the dose the the more effect on meds or hormones.
Posted by meAgain on January 3, 2007, at 16:21:40
In reply to Re: Anticonvulsants Effects On Meds and Hormones » bulldog2, posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2007, at 14:53:53
I noticed a change in my thinking process, it seems to be more difficult to speak and translate what im thinking in my mind. and i am more forgetful...
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.