title: Levetiracetam monotherapy for primary generalised epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of levetiracetam in cases of refractory primary generalised epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with refractory primary generalised epilepsy were treated with levetiracetam monotherapy; one with absence seizures, myoclonic jerks and generalised tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures one with myoclonic jerks and GTC seizures, and one with only GTC seizures. All three patients had generalised spike wave on the EEG and had failed at least three antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) before trying levetiracetam.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three patients tolerated levetiracetam well and became seizure free for at least 6 months. Therapeutic doses of levetiracetam ranged from 1250 to 3000 mg/day.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Levetiracetam, a new AED with a novel mechanism(s) of action, should be considered for patients with refractory primary generalised epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Beth Israel-Singer Division, 170 East End Avenue at 87th Street, New York, NY 10128, USA. jcohen@ehpnet.org
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam