Bone mineral density in adult patients treated with various antiepileptic drugs

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

There is considerable evidence suggesting, that older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and some of the newer ones decrease bone mineral density (BMD). However, there is only limited and conflicting data concerning the effect of levetiracetam on BMD. In this cross-sectional study we analysed data from 168 adult consecutive outpatients treated with AEDs for more than 2 years, and who underwent measurement of the BMD. We compared the incidence of decreased BMD among the patients treated with 6 different AEDs: carbamazepine (CBZ), oxcarbazepine (OXC), valproic acid (VPA), lamotrigine (LTG), topiramate (TPM) and levetiracetam (LEV). Among the patients on monotherapy, reduced BMD was present significantly most often in patients treated with LEV and those treated with OXC. In the group of patients on polytherapy there was no significant difference in the incidence of low BMD among patients treated with various AEDs. Our data suggest that patients on long-term treatment with LEV have a higher risk for affection of bone density.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSeizure
Volume21
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)471-2
Number of pages2
ISSN1059-1311
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012

    Research areas

  • Absorptiometry, Photon, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Anticonvulsants, Bone Density, Carbamazepine, Cross-Sectional Studies, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Fructose, Humans, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Piracetam, Triazines, Valproic Acid, Young Adult, Journal Article

ID: 168819213