title: Use of levetiracetam in hospitalized patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to analyze the short-term efficacy and safety of levetiracetam (LEV) to treat repetitive seizures in hospitalized patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  During admission to a tertiary hospital, we retrospectively identified patients with repetitive seizures who were treated for the first time with LEV during a hospital stay. LEV was considered effective if seizure cessation or >75% seizure reduction occurred in the 24 h after starting LEV (compared with the previous 48 h), requiring no further antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients (12 men, 18 women) were included. Mean age was 59.7 years. Most frequent seizure type was focal motor in 12 (40%) of 30 patients. Most frequent etiology was stroke: nine (30%) of 30 patients. Relevant medical conditions included atrial fibrillation (three) and hepatic disease (three). Concomitant medications included oral anticoagulants (seven), corticosteroids (two), and chemotherapy (two). Four patients received LEV as the only AED. Six patients with focal SE and 20 (66.6%) patients with clusters of seizures but not in SE received LEV as add-on treatment after lack of response to first-line AEDs. Mean LEV dose during first day was 1,119 mg. Mean daily maintenance dose was 1,724 mg. LEV was effective in 24 (80%) patients, all four patients who received it as the only AED, four of six patients with focal SE, and 16 of 20 patients with clusters of seizures. Three (10%) elderly patients with seizures secondary to stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reported moderate/severe somnolence and dizziness, leading to treatment discontinuation in one. On discharge, 20 (66.7%) patients continued on LEV, nine (30%) as the only AED.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LEV is effective and safe to treat repetitive seizures in hospitalized patients, including patients in focal SE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Falip
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amaro
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donaire
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Iratxe
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maestro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam