Question:
Which of the following contraceptive methods is contraindicated in women with epilepsy?
Which of the following contraceptive methods is contraindicated in women with epilepsy?
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Enzyme-inducing antiepileptics speed up clearance of pill hormones, causing failure.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Oral contraceptive pill
- IUCD
- Condom
- Mifepristone
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the interaction issue. Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are hepatic enzyme inducers, particularly of the cytochrome P450 system (phenytoin, phenobarbitone, carbamazepine, topiramate, oxcarbazepine).
Step 2: Effect on oral contraceptive pills. Enzyme induction accelerates the hepatic metabolism of the estrogen and progestogen components of combined oral contraceptive pills, lowering their blood levels and causing contraceptive failure (breakthrough ovulation and unintended pregnancy).
Step 3: Evaluate each option. An IUCD acts locally within the uterus and is not affected by hepatic enzyme induction, so it is a safe and reliable choice. Condoms are a barrier method with no drug interaction. Mifepristone is an abortifacient and not a routine contraceptive method.
Step 4: Choose the contraindicated method. Because enzyme-inducing AEDs reduce the efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive pill, it is the method best avoided or used with caution in women on these drugs.
Conclusion: The oral contraceptive pill is contraindicated (least reliable) in women with epilepsy on enzyme-inducing AEDs, so the answer is option A.
Step 2: Effect on oral contraceptive pills. Enzyme induction accelerates the hepatic metabolism of the estrogen and progestogen components of combined oral contraceptive pills, lowering their blood levels and causing contraceptive failure (breakthrough ovulation and unintended pregnancy).
Step 3: Evaluate each option. An IUCD acts locally within the uterus and is not affected by hepatic enzyme induction, so it is a safe and reliable choice. Condoms are a barrier method with no drug interaction. Mifepristone is an abortifacient and not a routine contraceptive method.
Step 4: Choose the contraindicated method. Because enzyme-inducing AEDs reduce the efficacy of the combined oral contraceptive pill, it is the method best avoided or used with caution in women on these drugs.
Conclusion: The oral contraceptive pill is contraindicated (least reliable) in women with epilepsy on enzyme-inducing AEDs, so the answer is option A.
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