Adults taking certain older-style seizure medicines had 51% higher odds of a new diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia than those on other seizure drugs, yet only about 1 in 5 had vitamin D supplementation recorded, according to research presented Oct. 18 at the American Neurological Association's annual meeting in San Diego. Osteopenia means bone density is lower than normal but not yet low enough to be called osteoporosis.
The drugs in question, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and oxcarbazepine, are known as enzyme-inducing medicines. They activate liver proteins that speed up the breakdown of vitamin D, which the body needs to absorb calcium and keep bones strong.
