Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam in pediatric epilepsy

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Levetiracetam (LEV) as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients with different generalized epilepsies. Design: Chart review of 22 consecutive children age 4–19 years who were treated with LEV for at least 1 year was observed retrospectively. The mean dose rang of LEV was from 250 to 2000 mg. Data were collected on epilepsy type, seizure frequency, concomitant antiepileptic drug and adverse effect. Results: Of the 22 patient reviewed, 13 (59%) were boys and 9 (41%) were girls. Predominant sei- zure types were generalized tonic–clonic seizures 13 (59%) and tonic seizure 6 (27%). Other seizure types included myoclonic seizures 2 (9%) and focal seizure 3 (5%). The results showed 10 (45%) had become free of seizure for almost 7 months to 1 year. Eight of these 10 patients (80%) had nor- malized EEG. Seizure frequency was reduced in 9 (41%) patients and 3 (14%) patients still had sei- zure. No side effects were reported related to LEV treated patients except for 1 patient. Conclusion: Our results confirm that LEV may be an effective adjunctive therapy in treatment of childhood epilepsy, especially tonic–clonic seizure, with possible no evident side effect.