Is Levetiracetam Monotherapy Effective And Safe In Children With Epilepsy

Introduction: Levetiracetam a second-generation antiepileptic drug with a broad spectrum and a wide safety margin, is used in both focal and generalized seizure treatment. In this study, we decided determine efficacy, side effects and safety of levetiracetam monotherapy in children with epilepsy. Methods: The medical records of consecutive 102 patients who were treated with levetiracetam monotherapy were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Total of 102 patients on levetiracetam monotherapy, 50 (49%) girls and 52 (51%) boys, were evaluated. Median age of the patients is 121.5 (62.25-178.5) months. Majority of the patients (95.1%) had generalized epilepsy. Twenty-seven (26.5%) patients had concomitant neurological problems. Dosing of levetiracetam was 20-80 mg/kg/day. Twenty eight (27.5%) patients had adverse reactions. The most common side effects were nervousness (10.8%) and enuresis nocturna (3.9%). Nervousness (4.9%), enuresis nocturna (1%) and headache (1%) were the reason for discontinuation. Twenty four (51.1%) of abnormal pre-treatment EEG had recovered and 74 (72.5%) of patients were seizure free after levetiracetam treatment. There was a statistically significant difference between levetiracetam treatment pre- and post-EEG abnormality (p=0.001). All over 10 (9.8%) patients were discontinued the treatment due to adverse effects (n:7, 6.9%) and inefficacy (n:3, 3%) at the 12 month of the treatment. The retention rate was 90.2%. Conclusion: This study suggests that levetiracetam monotherapy had high percentage of seizure reduction, low rates of serious adverse events and inefficacy, significant difference on pre-treatment EEG recovery in children.