Which of the following antiepileptic drugs can cause hirsutism in a 30 year old woman?
## **Core Concept**
The question tests knowledge of side effects associated with antiepileptic drugs, specifically the ability to identify a drug that can cause hirsutism. Hirsutism is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women, often due to androgen excess. Certain antiepileptic drugs are known to affect hormonal balances.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **Phenytoin**, is known to cause hirsutism among other side effects. Phenytoin is an older antiepileptic drug that can induce liver enzymes and affect various bodily systems, including hormonal pathways. It can lead to an increase in androgen levels, which in turn can cause hirsutism in women. This side effect is more commonly associated with Phenytoin compared to other antiepileptic drugs.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** Without the specific drug listed, we can't directly address its properties, but generally, not all antiepileptic drugs are commonly associated with hirsutism.
- **Option B:** Similarly, without specifics, we can't directly refute, but some antiepileptic drugs have different side effect profiles that don't typically include hirsutism.
- **Option D:** This option is also unspecified, but for the purpose of this question, we focus on the known association of hirsutism with Phenytoin.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that **Phenytoin** is one of the antiepileptic drugs that can cause gingival hypertrophy, ataxia, nystagmus, and notably, **hirsutism**. This side effect profile makes it stand out among other antiepileptic medications.
## **Correct Answer:** . Phenytoin