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Levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy

Divya S Khurana, Sanjeev V Kothare, Ignacio Valencia, Joseph J Melvin and Agustin Legido
Pediatric neurology, v 36(4), pp 227-230
Apr 2007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2006.09.018
PMID: 17437904
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Adolescent Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage Anticonvulsants - adverse effects Child Child, Preschool Epilepsies, Partial - drug therapy Epilepsy, Generalized - drug therapy Female Humans Male Piracetam - administration & dosage Piracetam - adverse effects Piracetam - analogs & derivatives Retrospective Studies Treatment Outcome
Although levetiracetam has shown efficacy in children with epilepsy, when used as adjunctive therapy, limited data are available regarding its use as monotherapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam monotherapy in a cohort of pediatric patients with epilepsy. A retrospective analysis of pediatric epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam at a single institution was performed over a 3-year period. Eighty-one patients were identified, 18 of whom received levetiracetam as monotherapy (mean age, 9.6 years). Epilepsy types were partial in 14 and generalized in 4. Conversion to levetiracetam monotherapy occurred in 16 patients due to lack of efficacy or adverse events, and 2 patients were initially started on monotherapy. Dose range of levetiracetam was 14-60 mg/kg, and duration of therapy ranged from 2-24 months. Eleven patients became seizure free on levetiracetam, one had at least 50% reduction in seizures, and six others had no change in seizure frequency. Adverse events included worsening of behavior, irritability, and possible cognitive changes, seen in 4 patients. Levetiracetam was discontinued in seven patients overall. Levetiracetam monotherapy appeared to be effective and well tolerated in this group of children with epilepsy and warrants further investigation in a well-controlled, prospective study.

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Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Pediatrics
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