IV levetiracetam in the management of non-convulsive status epilepticus.
BACKGROUND
Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment to try to limit mortality and improve outcome. So far, newer antiepileptic drugs (AED) have not assumed a noticeable role in the treatment of SE. This may be in part due to the lack of IV forms for the newer AEDs. The IV form of Levetiracetam (IV-LEV) has recently become available and has a potential role in the treatment of SE.


RESULTS
We report two cases of non-convulsive SE that responded favorably to IV-LEV. The first patient is an 83-year-old male with a history of complex partial seizure disorder who presented with impaired consciousness. The second patient is an 82-year-old male with history of old left middle cerebral artery ischemic infarction, who presented with confusion. Both patients were found to have a non-convulsive status epilepticus on electroencephalography (EEG) and treated with IV-LEV. In both cases, electrographic SE stopped with marked clinical improvement. Both patients tolerated the medication well and no significant side effects occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
IV-LEV may have a potential role in the treatment of non-convulsive status epileptics.
Farooq
Muhammad U
MU
Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology, Michigan State University, 138 Service Road, A-217 Clinical Center, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
Naravetla
Bharath
B
Majid
Arshad
A
Gupta
Rishi
R
Pysh
Joseph J
JJ
Kassab
Mounzer Y
MY
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam