Women-Focused AUD Pharmacotherapy — Speaker Companion

⏱️ Duration: 40 Minutes
👥 Audience: Psychiatry Residents, Addiction Fellows
📊 Slides: 16

Quick Reference

Key Statistic
84% increase in women's AUD vs 35% in men (2000-2013)
Critical Safety Point
Topiramate reduces OCP efficacy by 18-33% + Category D teratogen
Board Trap
Prescribing naltrexone to patient on opioids (precipitated withdrawal)
Emerging Evidence
Baclofen: Women 11× more likely to achieve abstinence than men
Slide 06
The Topiramate Trap
5 min

Speaker Notes

  • This is the most critical safety slide—spend time here
  • Emphasize the "double danger": teratogenicity + contraceptive failure
  • >li>Use visual: draw the causal chain on whiteboard if available
  • Ask audience: "What contraception is required?" before revealing
⚠️ Watch for: Trainees thinking "I'll just warn her about pregnancy"—not sufficient
🎯 Key Point: LARC (IUD, implant) or barrier methods required—OCPs insufficient

Anticipated Questions

Q1 "What if she's on a low dose of topiramate for migraine?"

The CYP3A4 induction and teratogenicity risk exists at all doses used for AUD (>200mg). For migraine prophylaxis, doses are often lower (50-100mg), but the interaction still exists. Always verify LARC regardless of indication.

Medium · 2 min
Q2 "Can she just use backup barrier methods with OCPs?"

No—this is not sufficient given the Category D teratogenicity. The standard of care is to require highly effective contraception (LARC) or avoid topiramate entirely. Patient preference for weight loss does not override fetal safety.

Hard · 3 min
Slide 10
Case: Reproductive-Age Woman
5 min

Speaker Notes

  • Read case slowly—highlight key details
  • Key distractor: "might want another baby in 1-2 years"
  • Pause for audience to formulate answer
  • Click reveal after discussion
⚠️ Watch for: Trainees selecting topiramate because patient wants weight loss
🎯 Key Point: Pregnancy potential + OCPs = topiramate contraindicated

Anticipated Questions

Q1 "What if she switches to an IUD?"

Then topiramate could be considered, but naltrexone remains first-line for reduction goals. The IUD must be placed BEFORE starting topiramate, and pregnancy test must be negative. Document LARC verification.

Medium · 2 min
Slide 11
Case: Pregnant Woman with Severe AUD
5 min

Speaker Notes

  • This case tests understanding of "not recommended" vs "contraindicated"
  • Emphasize: continued heavy drinking is the known, greater harm
  • Document shared decision-making thoroughly
  • >li>Note: Patient had prior success with naltrexone
⚠️ Watch for: Trainees selecting "psychosocial treatment only" as the "safest" option
🎯 Key Point: Risk-benefit analysis favors medication when psychosocial treatment fails

Anticipated Questions

Q1 "What about acamprosate instead?"

Reasonable alternative, but patient had prior success with naltrexone. Acamprosate has even less pregnancy data. Either could be justified with documented informed consent. The key is NOT avoiding medication entirely.

Medium · 2 min
Q2 "Will she need CPS report?"

CAPTA requires notification for data tracking, not necessarily a CPS abuse report. Create a Plan of Safe Care documenting treatment engagement. Distinguish clinical monitoring from forensic testing. Focus on family preservation when mother is engaged in treatment.

Hard · 3 min