Effectiveness and tolerability of levetiracetam in 43 children and adolescents with epilepsy

Introduction. Levetiracetam (LEV) is the latest antiepileptic drug (AED) to be marketed, and is indicated for use in association in adults with focal seizures. Aims. The purpose of this study is to report on our experience of administering LEV to children and adolescents with pharmacoresistant epilepsies. Patients and methods. Retrospective open trial involving the observation of 43 children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies, using associated LEV for more than 6 months on an individual basis, the aim of which was to evaluate the repercussions on the frequency of the seizures, together with the adverse and beneficial side effects of LEV administration. Results. With mean doses of LEV of 45.01 +/- 33.02 mg/kg/day the frequency of seizures was reduced by > 50% in 65% of patients, while seizures were completely eradicated in 14% of patients; adverse side effects were reported in 28% of patients, although these were usually transient or tolerable, as LEV administration only had to be stopped for this reason in two cases (4.65%). Relatives noted an improvement in social behaviour and in cognitive skills in the case of 15 children (34.9%). Conclusions. 1. LEV is an effective drug that is well tolerated in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies; 2. Its effectiveness in different types of seizures suggests a broad therapeutic spectrum; 3. LEV is a well tolerated drug with favourable side effects, a fact that is rarely reported with regard to other AED.