Phenytoin May Hasten Bone Loss In Young Women

Phenytoin is a popular drug used for seizure control. However, a recent study has found that it can also cause bone loss. A study published in the journal, Neurology, examined the effects phenytoin had on the bones of premenopausal women. The researchers found that young women taking phenytoin lost up to 2.6% of bone mineral density in their hip - despite the fact that they were already taking over 1000 mg of calcium and were physically active. Both calcium and exercise strengthen bones.

This raises some concerns about the long-term effects of phenytoin, and whether or not this will place these women at an increased risk of fractures when they reach menopause. The other drugs tested in the study, carbamazapine, lamotrigine, and valproate, did not seem to have the same effect on bone density. You can read about the study here.