title: Clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam.
abstract: Status epilepticus and acute repetitive seizures still pose a management challenge despite the recent advances in the field of epilepsy. Parenteral formulations of old anticonvulsants are still a cornerstone in acute seizure management and are approved by the FDA. Intravenous levetiracetam (IV LEV), a second generation anticonvulsant, is approved by the FDA as an adjunctive treatment in patients 16 years or older when oral administration is not available. Data have shown that it has a unique mechanism of action, linear pharmacokinetics and no known drug interactions with other anticonvulsants. In this paper, we will review the current literature about the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of IV LEV and the safety profile of this new anticonvulsant in acute seizure management of both adults and children.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, Department of Pediatrics, Scott & White Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Chanin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, Department of Pediatrics, Scott & White Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Downing
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mungall
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medical Center , Chicago, IL , USA.
authors.forename: Owais
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy, Department of Pediatrics, Scott & White Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Scott & White Neuroscience Institute and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Ekokobe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonkem
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Darin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Scott & White Hospital and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aceves
authors.affiliation: Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Scott & White Neuroscience Institute and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine , Temple, TX , USA.
authors.forename: Batool
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirmani
keywords: epilepsy; levetiracetam; pharmacokinetics