Levetiracetam as add-on therapy in generalised epilepsies.
Levetiracetam is highly effective as add-on treatment in refractory partial-onset seizures but there are only limited data supporting its benefit in generalised epilepsies. We have reviewed the clinical records of 25 consecutive adult patients with generalised epilepsies (84% females; mean age 34 (range 16-75) years) prescribed levetiracetam for at least six months. The epilepsy was considered idiopathic in 22 patients (88%)--including 13 with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy--and symptomatic in three. Most patients (68%) reported some improvement in seizure frequency on levetiracetam including 16% who became seizure free. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated although 11/25 (44%) of patients reported some tiredness, weight change or rash. Levetiracetam was stopped in five patients, four because of side effects and one though lack of efficacy. In four cases, pre-existing antiepileptic medication was withdrawn, leaving levetiracetam as monotherapy. We conclude that levetiracetam is a useful add-on treatment for patients with refractory generalised epilepsies.
The Epilepsy Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
S Pradeep
SP
Kumar
Philip E M
PE
Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam