Levetiracetam intravenous infusion: a randomized, placebo-controlled safety and pharmacokinetic study.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) administered intravenously (IV) at higher doses and/or at a faster infusion rate than proposed. The secondary objective was to assess LEV pharmacokinetics.


METHODS
Single ascending doses of LEV administered by IV infusion (2,000, 3,000, 4,000 mg over 15 min; 1,500, 2,000, 2,500 mg over 5 min) were evaluated in 48 healthy subjects in a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study.


RESULTS
All randomized subjects completed the study. Adverse events reported after IV administration of LEV (<or=4,000 mg infused over 15 min and <or=2,500 mg infused over 5 min) were primarily related to the CNS (dizziness, 52.8%; somnolence, 33.3%; fatigue, 11.1%; headache, 8.3%) and were consistent with the established safety profile for the oral formulation. Safety profiles were similar for each dose level of LEV and for both IV infusion rates, with no clear relation noted between incidence of adverse events and IV dose level or infusion rate. The pharmacokinetics of LEV administered by IV infusion was comparable across all dose groups and infusion rates. Respective geometric means (coefficient of variation) for 4,000 mg administered over 15 min and 2,500 mg infused over 5 min were maximum plasma concentration, 145 (24.6%) and 94.3 (36.2%) mug/ml; area under the plasma concentration-time curve, 1,239 (19.2%) and 585 (9.6%) mug/h/ml; terminal half-life, 8.0 (14.5%) and 7.0 (12.7%) h.


CONCLUSIONS
LEV administered by IV infusion at dosages and/or infusion rates higher than those proposed was well tolerated in healthy subjects, and the pharmacokinetic profile was consistent with that for LEV administered orally.
Ramael
Steven
S
SGS Life Sciences Services, Research Unit, Stuivenberg Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. steven.ramael@sgs.com
Daoust
Agnès
A
Otoul
Christian
C
Toublanc
Nathalie
N
Troenaru
Mona
M
Lu
Zhihong Sarah
ZS
Stockis
Armel
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010919:Placebos; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010919:Placebos; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam