Effect of levetiracetam in refractory childhood epilepsy syndromes.
In this open-label add-on study of levetiracetam in refractory childhood epilepsy syndromes, we studied the effect of a rapid introduction of levetiracetam on the total seizure frequency in 21 children, known to have partial and generalized seizures. Starting dosage was 10 mg/kg/day, increased every 4th day by 10 mg/kg up to a maximum of 60 mg/kg/day, depending on efficacy and tolerability. In this highly refractory population, 47% showed a seizure frequency reduction of more than 50%. Levetiracetam was effective both in partial and generalized seizures, with a significant effect on myoclonic seizures. Only mild side-effects were observed in four of 21 children, at a dosage of more than 40 mg/kg/day.
Lagae
L
L
Department Paediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. lieven.lagae@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Buyse
G
G
Deconinck
A
A
Ceulemans
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013577:Syndrome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam