Interactions between antiepileptic and chemotherapeutic drugs in children with brain tumors: is it time to change treatment?
Epileptic seizures are a common clinical problem in children with brain tumors. The conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) permit a good seizure control in most of these children. An emerging problem is the possible interactions between AEDs and chemotherapeutic drugs, because many of these drugs are metabolized by the cytochrome P450. The aim of this article is to propose a novel therapeutic approach for new-onset epilepsy in children with brain tumors. Among the new AEDs not metabolized by the P450 system, levetiracetam seems to be a promising AED owing to its pharmacokinetic features, efficacy, and safety.
Ruggiero
Antonio
A
Pediatric Oncology Division, A. Gemelli Hospital, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. ruggiero@rm.unicatt.it
Rizzo
Daniela
D
Mastrangelo
Stefano
S
Battaglia
Domenica
D
Attinà
Giorgio
G
Riccardi
Riccardo
R
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam