Abstracts

Rationale: Recent data have reported the effectiveness of levetiracetam (LVT) on generalized seizures. Among them, it seems that LVT can be successfully used to treat absence seizures. Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been occasionally reported to paradoxically aggravate some seizures. Among the various epilepsy syndromes, idiopathic generalized epilepsy seems more prone to drug-induced worsening. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with aggravation of absence seizures using LVT from the databases of 2 pediatric neurology departments (Robert-Debr , Paris and Amiens; France). We also used the prospective data from an open-label clinical trial performed in a third pediatric neurology department (Necker, Paris; France). Results: We included 6 patients. The patients were treated for the following epilepsies: n=2 childhood absence epilepsy, n=3 juvenile absence epilepsy and n=1 epilepsy with myoclonic absences. All of them have had, at least, an aggravation of the absences with a causal and temporal relationship between introduction of the drug and the detrimental effect. The aggravation disappeared when LVT was decreased or was withdrawn. Conclusions: This report highlights that LVT may aggravate epilepsy with absence seizures. This effect should be known to provide rapid and adequate management. Failure to recognize seizure aggravation by an AEDs has a significant impact on the patient s quality of life.