[Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam as an Add-on Therapy for Symptomatic Refractory Epilepsy Treated in a Department of Neurosurgery]

Brain Nerve. 2016 Dec;68(12):1471-1476. doi: 10.11477/mf.1416200618.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The number of patients who suffer from symptomatic partial epilepsy is significant, and those who undergo neurosurgery often experience refractory seizures. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new-generation anti epileptic drug (AED). Previous studies have shown that LEV has favorable efficacy and a good safety profile with few drug interactions, as it has a unique pharmacological mechanism and acts on synaptic vesicle protein. This study aimed at estimate the efficacy and safety of 1,000 to 2,000 mg/day of LEV as an add-on therapy for refractory symptomatic seizures treated in the department of neurosurgery of our hospital. Twelve patients with >1 seizure attack per year who were administrated one to three AED(s) and had never used LEV were enrolled in this study. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. Seizure-free ratio, health-related quality of life (QOL), and tolerability were assessed. Fifty-eight percent (7/12) of patients were seizure-free, and their "overall QOL", "energy/fatigue" and "health status" distress-item scores in the QOLIE-31-P had improved. All patients were able to continue oral treatment with LEV without major side effects. Thus, the efficacy and safety of oral add-on LEV therapy were high for these patients. (Received January 19, 2016; Accepted September 2, 2016; Published December 1, 2016).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levetiracetam
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piracetam / adverse effects
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piracetam / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam