Efficacy of Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Childhood Epilepsy

Abstract

Objectives:Levetiracetam (LEV) is an antiepileptic drug approved particularly for treatment of focal seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate efficacy and tolerability of LEV monotherapy in pediatric patients.Methods:In the present study, records of 225 children (aged 1 month-18 years) treated with LEV and with follow-up for at least 1 year were evaluated. Diagnosis of epilepsy included history of 2 or more unprovoked seizures. Demographic characteristics, reason for antiepileptic treatment, dosage of levetiracetam, duration of treatment, antiepileptic drugs used previously, seizure type, seizure duration, cranial magnetic resonance images, electroencephalogram results, seizure etiology, and side effects of the drug were documented.Results:Total of 225 patients, 95 girls and 130 boys, were enrolled in the study. Of those, 125 (55.6%) patients had generalized seizures, 90 (40%) had focal seizures, and 10 (4.4%) had other type of seizures. In treatment, 186 (82.7%) patients remained seizure-free. There was no difference in effectiveness of LEV on partial or generalized epilepsy. Overall, 8 (18%) patients had adverse events. Most common side effects observed were irritability and nervousness. There was no relationship between drug dosage and side effects.Conclusion:LEV monotherapy is effective in childhood epilepsy with focal or generalized seizures. It is well tolerated in spite of mild and transient side effects, which do not require drug discontinuation.

Keywords

• child
• efficacy
• epilepsy
• levetiracetam
• monotherapy
• safety