Status Epilepticus and Epileptic Seizures in Dogs

“…Seizures are among the most common neurologic disorders affecting companion animals, and their control generally requires lifelong daily medication 1, 2, 3. The life span of dogs with epilepsy is shorter than dogs without epilepsy; antiepileptic medication adverse effects or inadequate seizure control lead to an even shorter life span 4.…”

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Disposition of Extended Release Levetiracetam in Normal Healthy Dogs After Single Oral Dosing

Boothe

2015

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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BackgroundLevetiracetam is an anticonvulsant used for control of canine epilepsy. An extended release preparation should improve dosing convenience.ObjectivesTo determine the disposition of extended release levetiracetam in normal dogs after single dosing.AnimalsPharmacokinetic study: 16 healthy, adult dogs.MethodsUsing a partially randomized crossover study, levetiracetam (30 mg/kg) was administered intravenously (IV) and orally (PO) as extended release preparation with or without food. Blood was collected for 24 hours (IV) or 36 hours (PO). Serum levetiracetam was quantitated by immunoassay and data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis.ResultsPharmacokinetic parameters for fasted versus fed animals, respectively, were (mean ± SEM): C max = 26.6 ± 2.38 and 30.7 ± 2.88 μ/mL, T max = 204.3 ± 18.9 and 393.8 ± 36.6 minutes, t 1/2 = 4.95 ± 0.55 and 4.48 ± 0.48 hours, MRT = 9.8 ± 0.72 and 10 ± 0.64 hours, MAT = 4.7 ± 0.38 and 5.6 ± 0.67 hours, and F = 1.04 ± 0.04 and 1.26 ± 0.07%. Significant differences were limited to T max (longer) and F (greater) in fed compared to fasted animals. Serum levetiracetam concentration remained above 5 μ/mL for approximately 20 hours in both fasted and fed animals.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceExtended release levetiracetam (30 mg/kg q12h), with or without food, should maintain concentrations above the recommended minimum human therapeutic concentration.

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“…Prolonged seizure activity can be life threatening and often requires veterinary attention for seizure control. Emergency interventions can be cost prohibitive to owners and will often lead to euthanasia 6, 7, 8, 9. Rectal administration of diazepam allows owners to help control seizures at home, which is thought to have contributed to the quality of life of epileptic pet owners by allowing control of frightening seizures and providing economic benefits from fewer emergency visits 10.…”

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Levetiracetam Rectal Administration in Healthy Dogs

Peters

Schubert

Clemmons

et al. 2014

Veterinary Internal Medicne

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BackgroundLevetiracetam is used to manage status epilepticus (SE) and cluster seizures (CS) in humans. The drug might be absorbed after rectal administration and could offer a practical adjunct to rectal administration of diazepam in managing SE and CS.HypothesisLevetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after rectal administration in dogs and maintains target serum concentrations for at least 9 hours.AnimalsSix healthy privately owned dogs between 2 and 6 years of age and weighing 10–20 kg.MethodsLevetiracetam (40 mg/kg) was administered rectally and blood samples were obtained immediately before (time zero) and at 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 180, 360, and 540 minutes after drug administration. Dogs were observed for signs of adverse effects over a 24‐hour period after drug administration.Results C LEV at 10 minutes was 15.3 ± 5.5 μg/mL (mean, SD) with concentrations in the target range (5–40 μg/mL) for all dogs throughout the sampling period. C max (36.0 ± 10.7 μg/mL) and T max (103 ± 31 minutes) values were calculated and 2 disparate groups were appreciated. Dogs with feces in the rectum at the time of drug administration had lower mean C max values (26.7 ± 3.4 μg/mL) compared with those without (45.2 ± 4.4 μg/mL). Mild sedation was observed between 60 and 90 minutes without other adverse effects noted.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study supports the use of rectally administered levetiracetam in future studies of clinical effectiveness in the management of epileptic dogs.

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Status Epilepticus and Epileptic Seizures in Dogs

Cited by 66 publications

References 29 publications

Status Epilepticus and Cluster Seizures

Status Epilepticus and Cluster Seizures

Disposition of Extended Release Levetiracetam in Normal Healthy Dogs After Single Oral Dosing

Levetiracetam Rectal Administration in Healthy Dogs

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