title: Pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam.
abstract: Major considerations in the acceptance and impact of new antiepileptic drugs include their pharmacokinetics and their potential for interaction with other drugs. The pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam, a newly approved add-on antiepileptic agent for partial-onset seizures in adults, has been evaluated in 27 phase I and II studies. Consistent findings in these studies include rapid and complete oral absorption, linear dose kinetics, a minimal degree of protein binding, and predominantly renal excretion. Because of the lack of hepatic metabolism and low protein binding, the risk of interaction with other drugs is considered low.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. radtk002@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Radtke
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam