Dilantin osteopenia osteoporosis

Dilantin Osteopenia Osteoporosis. The anti-convulsant drug dilantin, (Phenytek, Dilantin-125) which is often prescribed to those with epilepsy, has been show to increase the risk of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

Research about women taking this drug:

As early as 2004 research showed that Epilepsy drugs, such as Dilantin, can increase the rate of bone loss in older women. A study published in the June 8, 2004 issue of Neurology stated that "Women over age 65 who were taking drugs for epilepsy were losing bone mass at nearly twice the rate of women who were not taking epilepsy drugs."

• But it is not just older women where Dilantin osteopenia osteoporosis connection is made. In 2008 the AmericanAcademy of Neurology published a study in their journal Neurology that showed a Dilantin osteopenia osteoporosis connection
• In 2008 Medpage Today stated: "The commonly used epilepsy drug phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) may cause significant bone loss for women in as little as a year...."
• a 2013 study of the effects of anticonvulsant drugs states "There is increasing evidence that anticonvulsant use is associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis and clinical fractures, especially among older agents such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproate. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. Feb 2010; 8(1): 34–46.
  

Research about men taking this drug

Women are not the only ones who many suffer bone loss from this commonly used epilepsy drug.

• Feb 10, 2011 – Ensrud KE, Walczak TS, Blackwell TL, et al. published their study: "Antiepileptic drug use and rates of hip bone loss in older men: a prospective study" and in November 2011 The Journal of Nerology published "Antiepileptic Drug-Induced Bone Loss in Young Male Patients Who Have Seizures".

So if you have seizures and take medication you do need to be monitored closely by your health are provider.

You may want to discuss ways to address potential bone loss that would be caused by your seizure medication with your health care provider. Do NOT put this off. You do not want to addbroken bones to your health care issues!

Talk with the person prescribing your medication. Print out a copy of this page and bring it with you if you feel you needsome 'back up'. Ask for help in managing both your epilepsy AND the potential loss of bone from a prescribed medication. (It could be, for example, that Strontium supplements would be of use in your case. But talk with your health care provider.

Click here for other Causes of Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

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