Two randomized vitamin D trials in ambulatory patients on anticonvulsants
Gosh…were do I start with this one….Treatment of seizures with anticonvulsants has long been known to be associated with bone loss and osteoporosis. While this may be glossed over, in my experience, physicians rarely make recommendations for osteoprotection when writing prescriptions for anticonvulsants. One such recommendation, in addition to anti-inflammatory approaches, is Vit D. Here’s the rub. Vit D is also known to have anticonvulsant activity.
So, we have a known side effect of anticonvulsants with a proven aide–and this aide has an added benefit of potentially helping with the seizures!! You’d think it’s a no-brainer… Of additional note is the levels of Vit D used. Increased bone density was only seen in the high dose group–4,000 IU/day for adults and 2,000 IU for children–levels strongly recommended by researchers but avoided by clinicians. Keep in mind this is a major neurology journal.