Anti-seizure medicines

Some medicines for epilepsy can increase your chance of osteoporosis and broken bones.

How do anti-seizure medicines affect bone health?

People with epilepsy are more likely to break a bone than people without epilepsy. This is partly because of seizures and falls. But some anti-seizure medicines also increase the chance of breaking a bone.

Long-term treatment with:

carbamazepine
phenytoin
primidone
sodium valproate

can reduce bone density. This can lead to osteoporosis and broken bones.

If you are over 50, have epilepsy and are taking one of these medicines, talk to your doctor about a fracture risk assessment.

About this information

Last reviewed: 12 June 2026

Next review: 1 June 2029

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