Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41841321›Full record

ReviewEpileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape2026

Contraceptive management in people with epilepsy: A narrative review of drug interactions, special populations, and clinical guidance.

Abrar O Al-Faraj, Nicole Woodrich, Laura Kirkpatrick, Rachel Cannon, Trudy D Pang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Abrar O Al-FarajDepartment of Neurology, Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Nicole WoodrichDepartment of Pharmacy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Laura KirkpatrickDepartment of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Rachel CannonDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center/Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Trudy D PangDepartment of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5041-1383

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Unintended pregnancies are common among people with epilepsy of child-bearing potential (PWECP). Unplanned pregnancies are associated with higher risks of maternal and fetal complications. In contrast, planned pregnancies are associated with more favorable outcomes, including a higher likelihood of treatment with anti-seizure medication (ASM) monotherapy, appropriate folic acid supplementation, and better seizure control. Therefore, counseling and provision of effective contraception are essential in reducing unplanned pregnancies and minimizing adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in this population. Selecting the most appropriate contraceptive method requires an in-depth understanding of the complex, bidirectional interactions between ASMs and hormonal contraception. These interactions can influence seizure control, contraceptive efficacy, and ASM serum concentrations. Despite its importance, providers' awareness of these interactions remains sub-optimal. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the different hormonal contraceptive methods and their interactions with different ASMs. We also address contraception considerations in special populations: adolescents and people with intellectual or neurodevelopmental disabilities. Lastly, we highlight the current gaps in research about contraception use in PWECP and future research directions.

Indexed as

AnticonvulsantsContraceptionEpilepsyPregnancy, UnplannedDrug InteractionsFemaleHumansPregnancyAnticonvulsantsanti‐seizure medicationscomplex family planningcontraceptive efficacydrug–drug interactionsepilepsyhormonal contraceptionpeople with epilepsy of child‐bearing potential

Identifiers

PMID41841321
PMCPMC13499251

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.