Efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in children with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (Lev) in children with epilepsy.


METHODS
Open-label observational, prospective, single arm, non-interventional study examining patients (≤14 years) with epilepsy, receiving mono- or combination therapy with levetiracetam. Levetiracetam was started at a dose of approximately 10mg/kg/day. The dose was titrated up with 10mg/kg increments if seizures were poorly controlled but the maximum daily dose could not be more than 60 mg/kg/day. Documented were seizure type and frequency, levetiracetam dose and side effects.


RESULTS
120 patients (39.3% females, mean age 4.5 ± 3.9 years) were enrolled. Average duration of follow-up was 10.3 ± 3.5 months. At study endpoint, 64.8% of patients got seizure free and 83.0% got a seizure reduction of ≥50%. Observed side effects were somnolence, dysphoria, nervousness, dystrophy, somnipathy, asitia, debilitation, etc. and the incidence rate in the study was 47.5%. Four (3.3%) of 120 patients withdrew because of intolerance of side effects. The estimated one year retention rate of levetiracetam was 73.3%. Poor effect was the most common reason for withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study, it seemed that levetiracetam was safe and effective for a wide range of epileptic seizures in children with epilepsy.
Li
Jiahui
J
Department of Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China.
Xiao
Nong
N
Chen
Siyuan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam