title: A case of rhabdomyolysis in which levetiracetam was suspected as the cause.
abstract: Several studies have reported rhabdomyolysis induced by various drugs but not by the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam. We present a case of suspected levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis. A 29-year-old woman was hospitalized for generalized tonic-clonic seizure and given levetiracetam for the first time. One day after starting levetiracetam, she developed myalgia, particularly backache, and weakness in both lower limbs. Based on her clinical symptoms and blood test results indicating hyperCKemia, our diagnosis was levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis. Withdrawal of levetiracetam immediately improved the clinical symptoms and hyperCKemia. This first report of suspected levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis provides important information for treating patients early in levetiracetam administration.
authors: Department of Neurology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Hisanao
authors: H
authors: Akiyama
authors: Department of Neurology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Yoshiteru
authors: Y
authors: Haga
authors: Department of Neurology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Naoshi
authors: N
authors: Sasaki
authors: Department of Neurology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Toshiyuki
authors: T
authors: Yanagisawa
authors: Department of Neurology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Hasegawa
keywords: HyperCKemia; Levetiracetam; Myalgia; Rhabdomyolysis; Weakness