Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInteractionsMonitoring UseOther MethodsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Interactions
Monitoring Use
Other Methods
Frequently Asked Questions
Lamictal(lamotrigine) is an anti-epileptic drug and mood stabilizer. It is used for the treatment of seizures associated with epilepsy and bipolar disorder.Oral contraceptives(hormonal birth control, or “the pill”), may interact with Lamictal’s effectiveness.
This article discusses the interaction between hormonal birth control and Lamictal and other birth control methods to consider.
SDI Productions / Getty Images
Lamictal and Birth Control
Research has found that those usingcombined hormonal OCs(birth control pills that contain both synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones) experienced a greater than 60% reduction in the effectiveness of Lamictal. It was later discovered that this is due to the estrogen in combined hormonal contraceptives.
What’s more, during the hormone-free (placebo) pill week in combined hormonal OC packs, the concentration of Lamictal can double if the dose of it remains constant throughout the OC cycle.
Continuing to use estrogen-containing OCs or other combined-hormone contraceptives, including the contraceptive patch and ring, may require adjustments to Lamictal dosages.
Because the hormone-free placebo pills (or the patch- or ring-free week during use) can cause a potentially toxic increase of Lamictal in the body, monitoring levels of it while using hormonal contraceptives would be required.
However, it may not be practical to keep such a close watch on the concentration of Lamictal during the different points of the menstrual cycle.
Lamictal Rash From Medication: How Symptoms Look
Other Methods of Birth Control
There are other birth control methods that may not impact the concentration of Lamictal in the body. These alternative options may allow for both medications to remain effective without requiring concentration monitoring or dosage adjustments.
These options may include:
Remember that different methods of birth control have different levels of effectiveness, so be sure to discuss these options with a healthcare provider in advance.
Summary
Hormonal methods of birth control, including oral contraception (the pill), may interact with Lamictal (an anti-epileptic medication) and reduce its effectiveness. Therefore, people using Lamictal may want to consider other birth control methods to ensure that their birth control stays effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy.
A Word From Verywell
If you are taking Lamictal to treat your epilepsy or bipolar disorder, you may have concerns about how certain hormonal birth control methods, such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, will influence its effectiveness. Because hormonal contraceptives can interfere with Lamictal working effectively, you may want to consider alternative methods of birth control. Discuss the various options with your healthcare provider so you can ensure your Lamictal is working properly while still avoiding unplanned pregnancy.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you are currently taking Lamictal and combined oral contraceptives that contain estrogen, the contraceptive method may be less effective. You may discuss alternative birth control methods, such as barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or the contraceptive shot with a healthcare provider to learn if they may be right for you.It may depend on the type of medication you are taking to treat epilepsy. Birth control pills and other contraceptive methods (the patch and the ring) that contain estrogen can speed up the metabolism of some anti-epileptic medications, such as Lamictal, due to the induction of liver enzymes. Contraceptives containing estrogen may not have the same effect if you use an anti-epileptic medication that isn’t non-enzyme-inducing.The short answer is yes: pregnancy can impact the concentration of Lamictal in the body. Research has found that Lamictal concentration can increase up to 90% from before a person is pregnant to their third trimester. For this reason, your healthcare provider must adjust your Lamictal dose during pregnancy and check Lamictal concentration monthly.
If you are currently taking Lamictal and combined oral contraceptives that contain estrogen, the contraceptive method may be less effective. You may discuss alternative birth control methods, such as barrier methods, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or the contraceptive shot with a healthcare provider to learn if they may be right for you.
It may depend on the type of medication you are taking to treat epilepsy. Birth control pills and other contraceptive methods (the patch and the ring) that contain estrogen can speed up the metabolism of some anti-epileptic medications, such as Lamictal, due to the induction of liver enzymes. Contraceptives containing estrogen may not have the same effect if you use an anti-epileptic medication that isn’t non-enzyme-inducing.
The short answer is yes: pregnancy can impact the concentration of Lamictal in the body. Research has found that Lamictal concentration can increase up to 90% from before a person is pregnant to their third trimester. For this reason, your healthcare provider must adjust your Lamictal dose during pregnancy and check Lamictal concentration monthly.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Lamotrigine.Reimers A.Contraception for women with epilepsy: counseling, choices, and concerns.Open Access J Contracept. 7:69-76. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85541Christensen J, Petrenaite V, Atterman J, et al.Oral contraceptives induce lamotrigine metabolism: evidence from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Epilepsia. 48(3):484-489. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.00997.xVélez-Ruiz NJ, Pennell PB.Issues for women with epilepsy.Neurol Clin. 34(2):411-425. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009Jacob S, Nair AB.An updated overview on therapeutic drug monitoring of recent antiepileptic drugs.Drugs R D. 16(4):303-316. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0148-6
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Lamotrigine.Reimers A.Contraception for women with epilepsy: counseling, choices, and concerns.Open Access J Contracept. 7:69-76. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85541Christensen J, Petrenaite V, Atterman J, et al.Oral contraceptives induce lamotrigine metabolism: evidence from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Epilepsia. 48(3):484-489. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.00997.xVélez-Ruiz NJ, Pennell PB.Issues for women with epilepsy.Neurol Clin. 34(2):411-425. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009Jacob S, Nair AB.An updated overview on therapeutic drug monitoring of recent antiepileptic drugs.Drugs R D. 16(4):303-316. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0148-6
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Lamotrigine.Reimers A.Contraception for women with epilepsy: counseling, choices, and concerns.Open Access J Contracept. 7:69-76. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85541Christensen J, Petrenaite V, Atterman J, et al.Oral contraceptives induce lamotrigine metabolism: evidence from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Epilepsia. 48(3):484-489. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.00997.xVélez-Ruiz NJ, Pennell PB.Issues for women with epilepsy.Neurol Clin. 34(2):411-425. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009Jacob S, Nair AB.An updated overview on therapeutic drug monitoring of recent antiepileptic drugs.Drugs R D. 16(4):303-316. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0148-6
MedlinePlus.Lamotrigine.
Reimers A.Contraception for women with epilepsy: counseling, choices, and concerns.Open Access J Contracept. 7:69-76. doi:10.2147/OAJC.S85541
Christensen J, Petrenaite V, Atterman J, et al.Oral contraceptives induce lamotrigine metabolism: evidence from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Epilepsia. 48(3):484-489. doi:10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.00997.x
Vélez-Ruiz NJ, Pennell PB.Issues for women with epilepsy.Neurol Clin. 34(2):411-425. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2015.11.009
Jacob S, Nair AB.An updated overview on therapeutic drug monitoring of recent antiepileptic drugs.Drugs R D. 16(4):303-316. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0148-6
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
