Bone Health continued...

Pack notes that "we really don't have good data yet on some of the newer agents, [but] preliminary data suggests that valproate may also have a negative effect, increasing the risk of bone turnover, a precursor of osteoporosis."

Since many of the anti-epilepsy drugs increase the risk of developing the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis, women with epilepsy should ask their doctors about bone-boosting supplements and annual bone density scans. Some seizure medications interfere with the absorption of vitamin D, the vitamin that is necessary to help build strong bones.

Be sure to get the recommended dietary allowance of both calcium and vitamin D in the diet, Pack says. The typical recommended intake of vitamin D in women of childbearing age is 200-400 IU. For calcium, the recommended intake is 1,000-1,400 mg per day.