title: Levetiracetam monotherapy for adults with localization-related epilepsy.
abstract: We identified 37 patients with a history of partial seizures, with and without secondarily generalization, who received levetiracetam (LEV) (Keppra) monotherapy. Patients began LEV either as first line therapy (n=9) or were converted to LEV monotherapy (n=28) after failing prior antiepileptic medications (AEDs). Thirty-four patients continued on LEV for at least six months; of these, 13 patients became seizure free and 15 patients had >50% reduction in their seizures. Three patients discontinued LEV because of adverse effects. LEV monotherapy can be effective and well tolerated in adults with new onset and difficult-to-control partial epilepsy. A prospective, large, double blind monotherapy study is needed to confirm this finding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, University of California, Davis, 4860 Y Street, Suite 3700, 95817, Sacramento, CA, USA
authors.forename: Taoufik M.
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Alsaadi
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thieman
authors.forename: Edie E.
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Zusman