High-dose intravenous levetiracetam for acute seizure exacerbation in children with intractable epilepsy

Epilepsia. 2010 Jul;51(7):1319-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2010.02519.x. Epub 2010 Feb 12.

Abstract

We review our experience with high-dose intravenous levetiracetam (IV-LEV) for acute seizure exacerbations in nine children with medically intractable epilepsy. All children had acute repetitive seizures-while on chronic antiepileptic drugs-that either led to hospitalization (eight) or occurred during hospitalization (one), and received doses of IV-LEV of 150 mg/kg/day or greater, with a mean dose of 228 +/- 48 mg/kg/day. Eight of nine children had resolution of the acute repetitive seizures. Seizure frequency was reduced to less than baseline in seven children (seizure-free in two, >/=80% reduction in four, and 50% reduction in one). Except for one child with increased seizures, IV-LEV was well tolerated in all children without complications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Levetiracetam
  • Male
  • Piracetam / administration & dosage
  • Piracetam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Seizures / drug therapy*
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Levetiracetam
  • Piracetam