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Can Anti Epileptic Medication Damage My Bones And Is Osteoporosis Common In Epileptic Women?
Hello, I'm a 48 year old postmenopausal caucasian woman average weight. I suffered a vertebral fracture after a bicycle accident a few months ago and was referred for a dexa scan. My t scores are very low in the lumbar spine- borderline osteoporosis - but in the mid osteopenia range in the hip. My question is can 30 years of a variety of antiepileptic medication have damaged my bones? I was on 2gm of epilim between the ages of 18 (when i was diagnosed) and 30. I was prescribed carbamazepine for some years in my twenties and am now managed with lamictal, keppra and valproate. I'm wondering if my peak bone density was low due to the medication. I now take alendronate to prevent further fractures. is osteopenia/osteoporosis common in epileptic women? Thanks for any responses.
Fri, 17 Jan 2014
Hi there
The answer to your question is Yes.
Anti epileptic medications are known to cause hypocalcimic state in the body.
Since you have been having it for so many years. ..this seems to be the only logical reason for so less T scores at your age.
Alendronate is a very good medication. It has to be taken regularly though for at least 3 to 5 years along with a good calcium supplement to se any visible change on the BMD scores.
If compliance with Alendronate is a problem then I would suggest you to go for Zolindronic Acid once a year infusion. It works equally well.
I would also suggest you to take Teraperatide injections as these are the only preparations which increase bone formation.
I hope my advice has helped
Good luck
The answer to your question is Yes.
Anti epileptic medications are known to cause hypocalcimic state in the body.
Since you have been having it for so many years. ..this seems to be the only logical reason for so less T scores at your age.
Alendronate is a very good medication. It has to be taken regularly though for at least 3 to 5 years along with a good calcium supplement to se any visible change on the BMD scores.
If compliance with Alendronate is a problem then I would suggest you to go for Zolindronic Acid once a year infusion. It works equally well.
I would also suggest you to take Teraperatide injections as these are the only preparations which increase bone formation.
I hope my advice has helped
Good luck
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