title: Levetiracetam in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: long-term efficacy in newly diagnosed adolescents.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). The study group consisted of 32 patients with epilepsy (20 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 13 years 3 months (SD 7y 11mo) at seizure onset. LEV was administered as the first drug; all patients were followed up at 6 and 12 months. The dose that achieved seizure control ranged from 1000 to 2500mg/daily. At 6-month evaluation: 15 patients were seizure free; 14 patients were responders (>50% reduction in seizures); and three patients had marginal effects (<50% reduction of seizures). At 12-month evaluation: 29 patients were seizure free; three patients were responders. No patients reported adverse events. These data provide preliminary evidence that LEV may be effective for treating patients with newly diagnosed JME.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verrotti
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cerminara
authors.forename: Giangennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parisi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iannetti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aloisi
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tozzi
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cusmai
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vigevano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Curatolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam