Levetiracetam as adjunctive antiepileptic therapy for patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: a retrospective open-label trial.
Seizures are a common neurologic symptom of tuberous sclerosis complex. The use of levetiracetam as adjunctive antiepileptic therapy was assessed in 20 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex aged 2 to 19 years. In this retrospective evaluation, 40% of patients treated with levetiracetam achieved a seizure reduction of more than 50%. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated, and adverse events were relatively uncommon in patients who responded to treatment. The most commonly reported adverse events were behavioral problems. Unstable gait, insomnia, poor appetite, and increased seizure frequency were also reported. Based on these results, the use of levetiracetam as adjunctive antiepileptic therapy can reduce seizure frequency in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. (J Child Neurol 2006;21:53-57).
Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229, USA.
James J
JJ
Collins
Cynthia
C
Tudor
Jennifer M
JM
Leonard
Gail
G
Chuck
David Neal
DN
Franz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000855:Anorexia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam