Efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in patients with therapy-resistant epilepsy and learning disabilities

Abstract

LEV is an effective and generally well-tolerated drug for this patient group, especially in focal and multifocal epilepsy.

Die neuen Antiepileptika in der Epilepsiebehandlung von Patienten mit geistiger Behinderung*

“…Diese zeigten im Vergleich zur Gesamtgruppe zwar etwas weniger günstige, aber immer noch sehr lohnende Resultate.Mula fand bei 118 mit Levetiracetam behandelten geistig behinderten Epilepsie-Patienten in 12,7% unerwünschte Effekte auf psychiatrischem Fachgebiet, darunter am häufigsten aggressive Verhaltensauffäl-ligkeiten[34]. Risikofaktoren dafür waren Zustand nach Status epilepticus und frühere psychiatrische Probleme.In unserer eigenen Anwendungsbeobachtung im Betheler Heimbereich sahen wir eine hohe Responderrate von 41,3%[24]. Zwei von 46 Patienten (4%) wurden vollständig anfallsfrei.…”

Partial Seizures and Atypical Absence Seizures as a Single Ictal Event in a Patient With Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

“…6,7 However, another author reported that levetiracetam did not appear useful for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. 8 Because of status epilepticus in our patient, we did not observe the changes of partial seizures by only withdrawing levetiracetam. Accompanied with this withdrawal of the drug, treatment of clonazepam, midazolam, and ACTH in turn gradually alleviated the partial seizures.…”

Update on treatment of epilepsy in people with intellectual disabilities

“…LEV has favourable pharmacological properties. Earlier studies [5] confirmed its efficacy also in PWID and also reported some increased risks for mental adverse effects like irritability, hyperactivity, aggression and behavioural problems, whereas positive effects on mood and alertness also occurred [6].…”