Catatonia induced by levetiracetam

Epilepsy Behav. 2006 Feb;8(1):303-7. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.04.016. Epub 2005 Oct 24.

Abstract

Levetiracetam (Keppra) is a novel antiepileptic drug approved as adjunctive treatment for adults with partial onset seizures. Although the drug is generally well tolerated, behavioral side effects have been reported in variable frequency. Most behavioral problems are mild in nature (agitation, hostility, anxiety, emotional lability, apathy, depression) and quickly resolve with discontinuation of medication. However, serious psychiatric adverse events may also occur with rare cases of psychosis and suicidal behavior. We report here the case of a 43-year-old woman who developed symptoms compatible with catatonia after being exposed to levetiracetam for the treatment of epilepsy. To our knowledge, it is the first reported case of catatonia induced by levetiracetam. We review the difficulties that may be encountered in the differential diagnosis of medical catatonia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Catatonia / chemically induced*
  • Catatonia / diagnosis
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Epilepsies, Partial / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levetiracetam
  • Paranoid Disorders / chemically induced
  • Paranoid Disorders / drug therapy
  • Piracetam / adverse effects
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Levetiracetam
  • Risperidone
  • Piracetam