Serum Levels of Folate and Vitamin B12 in Users of AEDs

Use of common antiepileptic drugs was associated with reduced serum levels of folate and, to a lesser extent, vitamin B₁₂.

Studies of a potential association between use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and reduced serum levels of folate and vitamin B₁₂ have yielded conflicting results. To elucidate the issue, researchers prospectively studied 2900 patients with epilepsy (2730 treated with AEDs, 170 untreated) seen at one center in Germany (where food is not routinely supplemented with folate) and 200 healthy controls.

Subnormal serum folate levels were significantly more common in AED recipients than in either untreated epilepsy patients or healthy controls. This finding held for carbamazepine, gabapentin, phenytoin, primidone, oxcarbazepine, and valproate; in the context of AED monotherapy, the finding held for all drugs in this list except oxcarbazepine and valp…

Reviewing Author

Robert C. Knowlton, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMore Health, Inc.; The Alliance of Medical Companies

Grant/Research SupportNIH Small Business Innovation Research

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSouthern Epilepsy & EEG Society (Treasurer)

Robert C. Knowlton, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMore Health, Inc.; The Alliance of Medical Companies

Grant/Research SupportNIH Small Business Innovation Research

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSouthern Epilepsy & EEG Society (Treasurer)