Levetiracetam monotherapy for children and adolescents with benign rolandic seizures

Seizure. 2007 Apr;16(3):271-5. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2006.12.006. Epub 2007 Jan 3.

Abstract

To assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of Levetiracetam (LEV) therapy, we identified 21 (15 male; 6 female) patients with a history of benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), with and without secondarily generalization in children and adolescents aged between 5.0 and 12.1 years. LEV was administered as a first drug (number of patients=9) or converted after previous treatment with other AEDs (number of patients=12). The patients were subdivided into two groups: "newly diagnosed" patients and "converted" patients. Patients were followed up for 12 months and all patients were able to continue on LEV treatment. At the end of follow-up (12 months), all patients were seizure free or showed a reduction of seizures >50%. LEV dosage ranged from 1000 to 2500mg/daily. Overall, 100% of patients completed the 12 months study, without any important side effect. Somnolence and irritability occurred in two (9.5%) patients. Our results support findings that LEV monotherapy is effective and well tolerated in children with BECTS. Prospective, large, long-term double-blind studies are needed to confirm these findings.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticonvulsants / administration & dosage
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Rolandic / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Levetiracetam
  • Male
  • Piracetam / administration & dosage
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam