Contemporary trends in antiepileptic drug treatment among women of childbearing age with epilepsy in the United States: 2004–2015

Objective: Certain antiepileptic drugs are associated with an increased risk for major congenital malformations (MCM). However, little is known regarding recent patterns of antiepileptic drug (ASM) prescriptions to women of childbearing age with epilepsy (WCE) in the United States. Methods: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was analyzed between the years 2004–2015 to determine trends in national antiepileptic drug prescriptions for WCE. Analysis of associations between demographic covariates and prescription of ASMs with MCM rate > 5% (topiramate, valproate, or phenobarbital) was performed with logistic regression. Results: There was a weighted total of 395,292 WCE. 29.1% (23.2%–35.8%) of WCE were prescribed an AED with MCM rate > 5%. The odds of a LEV prescription significantly increased in the 2010–2012 (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.09–7.79) and 2013–2015 (OR 5.06, 95% CI 2.02–12.67) intervals compared to 2004–2006. Conversely, the odds of PB prescriptions significantly decreased in 2010–2012 (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.83) and 2013–2015 (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.93) compared to 2004–2006. WCE between the ages of 25–34 (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.32–5.41) and 35–44 years (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.23–5.45), had lower odds of being prescribed ASMs with MCM rate > 5% compared to those between the ages of 15–24 years. Significance: Between 2004 and 2015, the prescriptions of ASMs given to WCE has changed. Regardless, nearly one third were prescribed potentially teratogenic medications despite available and affordable safer alternatives. Identifying factors associated with the prescription of teratogenic drugs to WCE is critical so that it may be further limited in the future.