Possible Interaction: Anticonvulsants and Biotin

“Supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6, biotin , vitamin D, and L-carnitine may be needed to prevent or treat deficiencies resulting from the use of anticonvulsant drugs.”

“We conclude that anticonvulsant treatment led to increased biotin catabolism and probably to reduced biotin status.”

“These findings may relate to possible impairment of biotin status in patients on long-term therapy with anticonvulsant agents.”

“We have shown in human serum and with purified biotinidase that these anticonvulsant drugs compete with biotin for binding to the protein moiety.”

“Our results suggest, that the lowering of biotin in epileptics is caused by intake of anticonvulsants and has a biochemical effect in these patients.”

“It is proposed that the lowering of biotin --which is a co-factor of the carboxylating enzyme system--is an important mechanism in mode of action of anticonvulsants.”

“Of 117 patients treated with anticonvulsants reduced plasma biotin levels were found in over 80% of cases.”

“In 264 epileptics undergoing long‐term therapy with anticonvulsants , significantly reduced plasma biotin levels were found compared with a normal control group: 74% of the epileptics had biotin levels for those treated with sodium valproate were higher than for those treated with phenytion, primidone, or carbamazepine.”

“The observed reduction in biotin levels might be a factor influencing the efficacy of these three antionvulsants.”

“Markedly reduced levels of folate, 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol, and biotin were found in the epileptics; folate and biotin levels showed a significant negative correlation with the total amount and the average daily dose of anticonvulsants administered.”

“Conditions that may increase biotin requirements in humans include pregnancy, lactation, and therapy with anticonvulsants or lipoic acid.”