title: Levetiracetam add-on therapy in Japanese patients with refractory partial epilepsy.
abstract: The aim of this observational study was to obtain information regarding efficacy and safety of add-on levetiracetam (LEV; n=32) in Japanese patients with refractory partial seizures in an everyday clinical setting, relative to control AEDs (n=30). This is the first study of LEV add-on therapy conducted in Japan since approval was made. The medical charts of patients were retrospectively reviewed. The efficacy variables were seizure freedom and ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. A significantly higher response to LEV was demonstrated in patients with all seizure types at baseline, relative to control AEDs. In patients with a duration of epilepsy of at least 10 years, significant effects in response to LEV were demonstrated with regards to efficacy variables, relative to control AEDs, thus providing meaningful results. Only two patients (6.2%) discontinued LEV treatment due to worsening of seizures, but no discontinuation was reported due to adverse events. LEV as add-on therapy to other AEDs is a promising useful treatment option for patients with refractory partial seizures without notable effects on safety, indicating that this treatment regimen might be recommended for such patients.
authors.affiliation: Tanaka Neurosurgical Clinic, Kagoshima, Japan. tanakat@asahikawa-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shigeya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078306:Clobazam; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077236:Topiramate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077236:Topiramate; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000078306:Clobazam; D005632:Fructose; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010672:Phenytoin; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D010889:Piracetam
keywords: 50% reduction; add-on therapy; epilepsy; levetiracetam (LEV); refractory partial seizure; seizure freedom