title: The safety and tolerability of different intravenous administrations of levetiracetam, bolus versus infusion, in intensive care unit patients.
abstract: This study reviews our experience with the safety and tolerability of levetiracetam (LVM) with different methods of intravenous administration in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We used retrospective chart review to identify 33 ICU patients who received intravenous LVM for treatment of seizures. Collected data included age, gender, diagnosis on admission, dosing regimen, documented seizure activity, adverse reactions, concomitant use of other antiepileptic drugs, and condition on discharge. A total of 33 ICU patients were given intravenous (IV) LVM as add-on treatment to standard regimen for treatment of breakthrough seizures or status epilepticus or given as preventive medication postoperatively. Among these 33 patients, 16 received intravenous LVM as bolus, and 17 received intravenous LVM as continuous infusion. Safety and tolerability of intravenous LVM were evaluated on the basis of the occurrence of adverse or side effects reported in daily progress notes of the physicians and nurses. There were no significant adverse or side effects reported in daily progress notes. The addition of intravenous LVM to the standard regimen for controlling seizures in ICU patients seems feasible and tolerable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burakgazi
authors.forename: Sairah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bashir
authors.forename: Vindoth
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doss
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pellock
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam
keywords: continuous infusion; intravenous bolus; intravenous levetiracetam; seizures