Antiepileptic drugs for preventing seizures in people with brain tumors

Abstract

The evidence is neutral, neither for nor against seizure prophylaxis, in people with brain tumors. These conclusions apply only for the antiepileptic drugs phenytoin, phenobarbital, and divalproex sodium. The decision to start an antiepileptic drug for seizure prophylaxis is ultimately guided by assessment of individual risk factors and careful discussion with patients.

Initiation of Antiseizure Medications in Patients With Brain Abscess

“… 30 Another review of clinical trials of ASM prophylaxis in brain tumors did not find evidence for or against initiation of ASMs in this population. 31 A study of initiation of seizure prophylaxis in survivors of acute ischemic stroke did not find a benefit in reducing 30-day mortality. 32 Finally, a study of initiation of corticosteroids in patients with neurosurgically treated brain abscess did not find a protective effect in late unprovoked seizures.…”

Initiation of Antiseizure Medications in Patients With Brain Abscess

“… 30 Another review of clinical trials of ASM prophylaxis in brain tumors did not find evidence for or against initiation of ASMs in this population. 31 A study of initiation of seizure prophylaxis in survivors of acute ischemic stroke did not find a benefit in reducing 30-day mortality. 32 Finally, a study of initiation of corticosteroids in patients with neurosurgically treated brain abscess did not find a protective effect in late unprovoked seizures.…”

Postoperative Epileptic Seizures in Children

“…The present study provides a little contribution to the undergoing discussion concerning indications for ASM prophylaxis [ 7 , 12 , 14 , 28 , 41 , 47 , 48 ]. Actually, the rate of children with PS after corticotomy or noncorticotomic approaches in the series considered here, in which no antiepileptic prophylaxis was adopted, is similar or even lower to that observed in surgical series where ASM prophylaxis was administered [ 23 , 49 ].…”

Duration of Prophylactic Levetiracetam After Surgery for Brain Tumor: A Prospective Randomized Trial

“…18 However, in patients who have not had a seizure, meta-analysis of studies involving older ASMs demonstrated no benefit of prophylactic ASMs in patients with malignant and benign brain tumors. 19,20 Similarly, in a review of patients with brain tumor undergoing craniotomy, no benefit or significant harm was found in the use of phenytoin or levetiracetam. 21 In a retrospective analysis by Ansari et al 14 over a 6-year period, postoperative ASM prophylaxis showed no statistically significant benefit for patients with intra-axial tumors.…”

Initiation of Antiseizure Medications in Patients With Brain Abscess

“… 30 Another review of clinical trials of ASM prophylaxis in brain tumors did not find evidence for or against initiation of ASMs in this population. 31 A study of initiation of seizure prophylaxis in survivors of acute ischemic stroke did not find a benefit in reducing 30-day mortality. 32 Finally, a study of initiation of corticosteroids in patients with neurosurgically treated brain abscess did not find a protective effect in late unprovoked seizures.…”

Postoperative Epileptic Seizures in Children

“…The present study provides a little contribution to the undergoing discussion concerning indications for ASM prophylaxis [ 7 , 12 , 14 , 28 , 41 , 47 , 48 ]. Actually, the rate of children with PS after corticotomy or noncorticotomic approaches in the series considered here, in which no antiepileptic prophylaxis was adopted, is similar or even lower to that observed in surgical series where ASM prophylaxis was administered [ 23 , 49 ].…”

Duration of Prophylactic Levetiracetam After Surgery for Brain Tumor: A Prospective Randomized Trial

“…18 However, in patients who have not had a seizure, meta-analysis of studies involving older ASMs demonstrated no benefit of prophylactic ASMs in patients with malignant and benign brain tumors. 19,20 Similarly, in a review of patients with brain tumor undergoing craniotomy, no benefit or significant harm was found in the use of phenytoin or levetiracetam. 21 In a retrospective analysis by Ansari et al 14 over a 6-year period, postoperative ASM prophylaxis showed no statistically significant benefit for patients with intra-axial tumors.…”

Initiation of Antiseizure Medications in Patients With Brain Abscess

“… 30 Another review of clinical trials of ASM prophylaxis in brain tumors did not find evidence for or against initiation of ASMs in this population. 31 A study of initiation of seizure prophylaxis in survivors of acute ischemic stroke did not find a benefit in reducing 30-day mortality. 32 Finally, a study of initiation of corticosteroids in patients with neurosurgically treated brain abscess did not find a protective effect in late unprovoked seizures.…”

Postoperative Epileptic Seizures in Children

“…The present study provides a little contribution to the undergoing discussion concerning indications for ASM prophylaxis [ 7 , 12 , 14 , 28 , 41 , 47 , 48 ]. Actually, the rate of children with PS after corticotomy or noncorticotomic approaches in the series considered here, in which no antiepileptic prophylaxis was adopted, is similar or even lower to that observed in surgical series where ASM prophylaxis was administered [ 23 , 49 ].…”

Duration of Prophylactic Levetiracetam After Surgery for Brain Tumor: A Prospective Randomized Trial

“…18 However, in patients who have not had a seizure, meta-analysis of studies involving older ASMs demonstrated no benefit of prophylactic ASMs in patients with malignant and benign brain tumors. 19,20 Similarly, in a review of patients with brain tumor undergoing craniotomy, no benefit or significant harm was found in the use of phenytoin or levetiracetam. 21 In a retrospective analysis by Ansari et al 14 over a 6-year period, postoperative ASM prophylaxis showed no statistically significant benefit for patients with intra-axial tumors.…”