Abstract

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF LEVETIRACETAM AS MONO AND ADD ON THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY

Dr. Murad Wael Kamil*, Dr. Hussein Ali Hessen and Dr. Jenan Mohammed Salih

ABSTRACT

Background: Epilepsy is the second most common chronic neurological disorder after migraine affecting 2% of population with a high incidence of failure to achieve seizure freedom with the usual antiepileptic drugs. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new novel antiepileptic drug with less drug interactions, minimal side effects, a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and a wide spectrum of anticonvulsant effects in animal models for different types of epileptic seizures. Objectives: To define the efficacy and safety of LEV in the treatment of epilepsy as add on or monotherapy. Patients and Methods: A random sample of 52 patients with epilepsy, evaluated in a descriptive cross-sectional study for the efficacy and safety of LEV in epilepsy, they were collected among epileptic patients attending the Neurology consultation Clinic in Sulaimani city from May 2012 to May 2013.All the patients were interviewed by using questionnaire forms with comprehensive history, clinical examination, radiological, EEG and laboratory studies done to all patients. Results: The sample involved female patients 2 folds more than males. Mean patients age was 24.54 years. Mean duration of treatment; 2.7 years. Mean LEV dosage: 1475.9 mg / day. Seventeen patients received monotherapy and 35 patients received add on therapy. Mean Seizure frequency was 44 attacks / month before treatment and 4 after treatment. Mean percent of seizure reduction was 95.1% in mono therapy and 91.46% in add on therapy. Conclusion: Levetiracetam (LEV) is a safe, effective, broad spectrum antiepileptic drug that could be used as monotherapy or add on therapy in the treatment of generalized and focal epilepsy.

Keywords: Levetiracetam Epilepsy Add on therapy Mono therapy.