Levetiracetam in the treatment of status epilepticus in adults: a study of 13 episodes.
Treatment of status epilepticus (SE) has changed little over the last two decades, but the burden of this condition remains important. There is thus a need for alternative pharmacological therapies. Levetiracetam (LEV) has a wide spectrum of action and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile; however, little data exist regarding its use in SE. We identified patients with SE who received LEV, in a database comprising 127 SE episodes. Demographic, clinical and pharmacological data were analyzed, and compared to a control group consisting of 2 subjects from the database for each LEV patient, matched for age and sex. We identified 13 SE episodes occurring in 12 patients (10% of the database). Demographic, etiologic and clinical characteristics and outcome did not differ between the groups. Daily LEV dose ranged between 1,000-6,000 mg. Three patients were probable responders (23%), 1 responded to the treatment but subsequently died (8%), 4 were non-responders (31%, 1 died), and 5 had an undetermined response (38%). LEV may represent a useful alternative in the treatment of SE, particularly if a parenteral form of administration becomes available; to better define its role in this setting, prospective studies are needed.
Rossetti
Andrea O
AO
Division of Epilepsy and EEG, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Bromfield
Edward B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam