A Review of Concordance and Quality in Clinical Guidelines for Hormonal Contraceptives to Mitigate Drug–Drug Interactions in Women With Epilepsy

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurposeConcomitant use of hormonal contraceptive agents (HCAs) and enzyme‐inducting antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs) may lead to contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy. This review identified and evaluated concordance and quality of clinical treatment guidelines related to the use of HCAs in women with epilepsy (WWE) receiving EIAEDs.MethodsRelevant clinical guidelines were identified across four databases and were independently evaluated for quality utilizing the AGREE‐II protocol instrument. Quality in this context is defined as the rigor and transparency of the methodologies used to develop the guideline. Guidelines were further assessed in terms of concordance and discordance with the latest body of knowledge concerning the use of hormonal contraception in the presence of EIAEDs.ResultsA total of n = 5 guidelines were retrieved and evaluated. Overall guideline scores ranged from 17% to 92%, while individual domain scores ranged from 0% to 100%. Contraceptive guidelines consistently recommended the use of intrauterine systems and long‐acting injectables in the presence of EIAEDs, recommended against the use of oral, transdermal, and vaginal ring contraceptives, and differed regarding recommendations related to implants. Guidelines agreed regarding recommendations that women treated with EIAEDs should receive intrauterine systems and long‐acting injectables; however, the suggested frequency of administration of injectable contraceptives differed. The use of intrauterine systems in this population is supported by evidence, but there is uncertainty surrounding the use of long‐acting injectables and contraceptive implants.ConclusionsTo mitigate the risk of unintended pregnancy and its consequences, recommendations related to implants and long‐acting injectable contraceptives should be evidence‐based.