Levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy: Experience from a tertiary pediatric neurology center

Yıldırım, Miraç; Bektaş, Ömer; Göktaş, Özben Akıncı; Yüksel, Merve Feyza; Şahin, Süleyman; Teber, Serap

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107745

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the non-responders group the best clinical response was to the ditherapy 30/79 (38.0%), and in the group of responders 161/180 (89.4%) to the monotherapy modality. The comparison between these groups showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in favour of responders, where a smaller number of antiepileptic drugs was needed for better control of epileptic seizures, which is in accordance with studies that confirmed that the use of levetiracetam as monotherapy can be considered effective ( 13 - 15 , 18 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Childhood Epilepsies

Catibusic,

Uzicanin,

Salihbegovic

et al. 2024

Med Arch

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Levetiracetam (LEV) is a broad spectrum second-generation antiepileptic drug (AED). Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for childhood epilepsies. Methods: This is single, tertiary centre observational, prospective study, that included paediatric patients who were treated with levetiracetam at Paediatric hospital University Clinical Centre Sarajevo, during the period of 15 years (2008-2022). Inclusion criteria were: paediatric patients age > 1 month, diagnosed with epilepsy according to International League Against Epilepsy. After the introduction of levetiracetam, each patient has been followed up at least 12 months. According to the outcome the patients were divided into 5 groups: seizure reduction >50%, seizure reduction <50%, complete seizure freedom, the same number of seizures and increased number of seizures. From these groups two intergroups have been formed: responders (seizure reduction >50% and complete seizure freedom) and non-responders (seizure reduction <50%, the same number of seizures and increased number of seizures). Results The study enrolled 259 patients (141 female and 118 male), with mean age 7 years (3,0–12.0). Comorbidities were present at 129/259 (49.8%) patients. After 12 months of treatment, 25/259 (9.7%) patients had seizure reduction >50%, 30/259 (11.6%) patients had seizure reduction <50%, 154/259 (56.5%) patients had achieved seizure freedom, 31/259 (12%) patients had same number of seizures, while 19/259 (7.3%) patients had increased number of seizures. Seizure frequency between responders and non-responders, before treatment and after 12 months of treatment was statistically significant (p<0.001). Discussion: Non responders had the best outcome with ditherapy (30/79; 38%), while responders had the best outcome with monotherapy (161/180;89.4%). Conclusion: Levetiracetam is efficient antiepileptic drug for different types of epilepsies in childhood, used as mono, di or polytherapy.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Childhood Epilepsies

Catibusic,

Uzicanin,

Salihbegovic

et al. 2024

Med Arch

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sodium valproate was the most used medication as monotherapy (54%) among AED treatments which was comparable with the study results (74%) by Henry et al, from Tamil Nadu (18). Among the newer AEDs levetiracetam 30% which was commonly used, comparable to the study that was carried out in Turkey by Yildirim et al, (17) where authors concluded that high efficacy and tolerability as monotherapy in children with Levetiracetam can reduce seizures by more than 50% in majority of the patients.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

A study of Rationale use of Sodium valproate and Levetiracetam as monotherapy in pediatric patients with Epilepsy at tertiary care hospital

Raju

Rajendran

et al. 2022

Biomedicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Drug utilization studies helps in the understanding of drug usage among patients, as well as the socioeconomic background and rational use of antiepileptics in children with epilepsy. Objective: The primary aim of this article is to examine the justification for utilizing sodium valproate and Levetiracetam as monotherapy in pediatric epilepsy patients, as well as drug use and prescribing patterns for various kinds of epilepsy. Materials & Methods: Pediatric epilepsy patients under the age of 18 who visited the outpatient department, patients who were on sodium valproate, carbamazepine, or Levetiracetam monotherapy for at least 3 months after starting treatment. Demographic details, disease characteristics like type of epilepsy, onset and duration of episode, details of first attack, last attack, frequency and family history related to epilepsy comorbid conditions. Details on the treatment, such as the drug prescribed, the dose, the duration of the treatment, and the dosage, were noted. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) Brain, CT Brain, Electroencephalogram (EEG) was done in selected patients and noted. Results: In this study we have total of 91 patients younger than 18 years of age confirmed with epilepsy receiving Sodium valproate, Levetiracetam as Monotherapy. Among them 70.3% were male and 29.6% were females. As per the recent Kuppuswamy scale 64.8% of the patients were from an urban background, whereas 35.1% were from a rural background. On analyzing socioeconomic status we found that 38.5% belong to upper middle class family. Nearly 26 % of the patients were diagnosed with focal seizures and 25% with GTCS. Lesser percentage observed with Rolandic, myoclonic, complex partial, refractory epilepsy. Majority 53.8 % were on Sodium valproate among older AEDs. Among newer AEDs 29.6% of patients received Levetiracetam as monotherapy. Key words: Epilepsy, Sodium valproate, Levetiracetam, Monotherapy, Rational use

show abstract

“…Similar to valproate, LEV may be more effective and tolerable as a monotherapy compared to as a polytherapy, especially in pediatric patients with epilepsy. A high seizure reduction rate and a relatively tolerable side-effect profile have been observed with LEV monotherapy [ 104 , 105 ]. Although a retrospective review in 2016 reported that there may be no significant differences in adverse effects shown between LEV mono- and poly-therapy in pediatric patients [ 105 ], LEV monotherapy may be more effective, less costly and may reduce wastage and possible unknown interactions.…”

Section: Broad and Narrow Spectrum Anti-seizure Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elucidating the Potential Side Effects of Current Anti-Seizure Drugs for Epilepsy

Akyüz

Köklü

Ozenen

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

: Over the decades, various interventions have been developed and utilized to treat epilepsy. However, majority of epileptic patients are often first prescribed with anti-epileptic drugs (AED), now known as anti-seizure drugs (ASD), as a first line of defense to suppress their seizures and regain their quality of life. ASDs exert their anti-convulsant effects through various mechanisms of action including regulation of ion channels, blocking of glutamate-mediated stimulating neurotransmitter interaction, and enhancing the inhibitory GABA transmission. About one third of epileptic patients are often resistant to anti-convulsant drugs, while others develop numerous side effects which may lead to treatment discontinuation and further deterioration of quality of life. Common side effects of ASDs include headache, nausea and dizziness. However, more adverse effects such as auditory and visual problems, skin problems, liver dysfunction, pancreatitis and kidney disorders may also be witnessed. Some ASDs may even result in life-threatening conditions as well as serious abnormalities, especially in patients with comorbidities and in pregnant women. Nevertheless, some clinicians had observed a reduction in the development of side effects post individualized ASD treatment. This suggest that a careful and well-informed ASD recommendation to patients may be crucial for an effective and side-effect free control of their seizures. Therefore, this review aimed to elucidate the anticonvulsant effects of ASDs as well as their side effect profile, by discussing their mechanism of action and reported adverse effects based on clinical and preclinical studies, thereby providing clinicians with a greater understanding of the safety of current ASDs.

show abstract

Levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy: Experience from a tertiary pediatric neurology center

Cited by 6 publications

References 22 publications

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Childhood Epilepsies

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam for Childhood Epilepsies

A study of Rationale use of Sodium valproate and Levetiracetam as monotherapy in pediatric patients with Epilepsy at tertiary care hospital

Elucidating the Potential Side Effects of Current Anti-Seizure Drugs for Epilepsy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About