Antiepileptic drugs affecting bone metabolism in premenopausal women

Some antiepileptic drugs increase bone turnover and other lower blood levels of calcium in premenopausal women with epilepsy, according to a study published in the journal "Annals of Neurology"
Antiepileptic drugs have been associated with osteoporosis and other bone metabolism disorders, say the authors, which they believe has an important consequence in women whose osteoporosis risk is more important than humans after menopause.

Dr. Alison Pack of Columbia University in New York and his colleagues therefore studied the effects of several AEDs in 93 premenopausal women whose calcium intake was similar.

Serum calcium levels were found lower in women taking some antiepileptics, unlike others, but none of these drugs, they are responsible for some differences in bone metabolism, has actually led to a decline Abnormal this mineral.

Some antiepileptic drugs have also been the source of a significant increase in blood levels of alkaline phosphatase (a marker of bone turnover), higher concentrations of NTX, a urinary marker of bone resorption, and a significant lowering of blood levels of IGF-1 (a factor of skeletal growth). All these changes were independent of vitamin D, the authors say.

"Women who undergo such changes in their bone metabolism, as evidenced by these markers, subject to premature bone loss and a significant reduction in bone density at menopause," warns Dr. Pack.

"Longitudinal studies therefore are essential to determine whether the observed anomalies can result in a significant increase in bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women, since estrogen deficiency may exacerbate these adverse reactions to antiepileptic drugs , "she adds.