Influence of enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs on the pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy

Epilepsy Res. 2011 Mar;94(1-2):117-20. doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2011.01.007. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Abstract

To assess whether levetiracetam elimination is influenced by enzyme inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), serum levetiracetam levels were determined at frequent intervals after a single oral 1000mg dose in 15 subjects co-medicated with EIAEDs and 15 matched controls. The EIAED group showed a higher levetiracetam oral clearance (p=0.01) and a shorter half-life (p=0.02) than controls. Although the magnitude of interaction is relatively modest, it could have clinical significance for some patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticonvulsants / blood
  • Anticonvulsants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Enzyme Induction / drug effects
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / enzymology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levetiracetam
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piracetam / blood
  • Piracetam / pharmacokinetics
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam