Contraception if using Lamotrigine

[mamahoo]

Hi!

I currently take Lamotrigine for epilepsy, and so realise my choice of contraception is limited. As far as I can remember, I think the nurse said I could either have the the depo injection (which hasn't agreed with me), or the copper coil.

I am booked in to have the copper coil next week, and I'm fucking petrified. I don't think I can do it.

I'm going to get in t

I'm going to get in touch with my epilepsy nurse tomorrow to see if there are any other options.

If you take Lamotrigine for seizures, what contraception do you use?

Praying there is an alternative!!

Hi mamahoo, sorry you're feeling so apprehensive about the copper intrauterine device. There are interactions between lamotrigine and the combined pill/patch/ring or progestogen-only pill, but no issue with the implant, injection, IUD or IUS. (Lamotrigine is different to some other antiepileptics, in that it's not a "liver enzyme-inducer".) Feel free to message me if you want more detailed information.

Hi @MiniJellyBeans
Thank you for all of the advice.

I attempted to go for it today, but unfortunately they couldn't get it in!! Too nervous I guess!

She said she didn't see many people that take Lamotrigine, so she looked up on her system what I could have, but she didn't sound 100% sure. She has given me "Zelleta", which is a progestogen only pill. As you have said already, I am pretty sure I shouldn't be taking that! She said if no issues with that then I could have the implant. I'm not certain she knows what she's on about.

Any advice welcome!!

Thanks

Ps I would message you, but I'm not sure how?? Thanks

Hi mamahoo, don't worry - I'll message you and then you can reply! (I think you just click "message poster" on the blue strip where the poster's name appears in the thread.)