Add-On Levetiracetam Therapy In Refractory Childhood Epilepsy: Clinical Experience In A Child Hospital
Journal Title: Journal of Neurological Sciences-Turkish - Year 2008, Vol 25, Issue 1
Abstract
Purpose: Levetiracetam is a new anti-epileptic drug with proven efficacy in both partial and generalized seizures, in children. In this retrospective clinical study, we evaluated the effect of levetiracetam in 24 children with both partial or generalized refractory epilepsies. Methods: Retrospective, open label, add-on therapy conducted in epilepsy patients who followed at Behcet Uz Child Hospital. Levetiracetam was added to baseline antiepileptic drug at a starting dose 10-20 mg/kg, with 1-2 week increment up to 60 mg/kg/day. Results: Twenty four patients, seventeen boy (70.8%) and seven girl (29.2%), mean age 9.79 ± 2.75 (range 4-14) years were included. Levetiracetam add-on therapy reduced seizure frequency by ≤50% in approximately 14 (58.3%) patients. Two (8.3%) patients seizure free which generaly occur 4-8 weeks after the onset of Levetiracetam therapy. Six patients (25%) demonstrated seizure reduction 75-99%, 6 (25 %) patients demonstrated a 50-74% reduction, 3 (12.5%) patients demostrated a 25-49% reduction, seizure frequency was unchanged 5 (20.8%), and increased in 2 (8.3%) patients. Only mild side effects were observed two of 24 children as nervousness and tiredness. Conclution: Levetirasetam was equally effective for generalized and partial epilepsies.
Authors and Affiliations
Aycan UNALP, Nedret URAN, Aysel OZTURK, Ozsu ELIF
Keywords
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