Effectiveness of levetiracetam in the treatment of lumbar radiculopathy: an open-label prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this open-label study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) in the treatment of patients with lower lumbar radiculopathy diagnosed by clinical presentation, physical examination, and electrodiagnostics.


METHODS
Open-label, forced titration, prospective cohort intent-to-treat analysis.


METHODS
Major teaching hospital.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from the university pain clinic and through referrals from the community. Subjects were eligible to participate if they (1) were older than 18 years, (2) had leg pain greater than back pain, (3) had been symptomatic for 6 months and <5 years, (3) had a baseline visual analog scale of at least 6 on the 0-10 scale, (4) had undergone lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging within the last 12 months that showed no surgically correctable etiology for their radicular symptoms, and (5) had undergone electrodiagnostics that was positive for lumbar radiculopathy (L4, L5, or S1 nerve roots). Twenty-six patients were enrolled, and 24 (92.3%) completed the study.


METHODS
Patients initially received LEV 500 mg twice a day for 2 weeks. Dosages were then increased to 750 mg twice day for 2 weeks, and then to 1500 mg twice a day for the remainder of the study. Patients were observed for 8 weeks after reaching the maximum dose.


METHODS
Treatment effectiveness was assessed with the use of biweekly brief pain inventory and patient global assessment scales. Frequency and severity of adverse events were recorded.


RESULTS
The mean biweekly worst and average pain scores decreased from 7.17 and 6.27 at baseline to 4.2 and 3.9, respectively, at week 12 (P < or = .001). Improvements were reported in general activity, ability to walk, mood, and relationship with people. Side effects consisted of sedation/drowsiness (46%), gastrointestinal upset (23%), headache (19%), blurred vision (15%), weakness/fatigue (11%), and dyscoordination (11%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that LEV might be a well-tolerated and effective treatment for lumbar radiculopathy. A large randomized placebo-controlled trial is recommended and comparative studies with alternative agents should be sought.
Hamza
Maged S
MS
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Richmond, VA, USA. maged.hamza@gmail.com
Anderson
David Greg
DG
Snyder
John W
JW
Deschner
Steven
S
Cifu
David X
DX
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000700:Analgesics; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam