EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF LEVETIRACETAM IN PATIENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Abstract number :
2.261
Submission category :
Year :
2003
Submission ID :
473
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2003, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Alan B. Ettinger, Jessica Monas, Contstantine S. Bulauitan, Alexandra E. McBride Neurology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY
Epilepsy is common in developmental disabled (DD) patients; yet few studies specifically address the experience with anti-epileptic medications in this special patient population. This study is to assess the response to Levetiracetam (LEV) in patients with DD.
A retrospective review was made of all DD patients treated with LEV as adjunctive therapy from 7/00 to 4/03 at the Long Island Jewish Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
Eighteen patients (10 male, 8 female) were identified. Age range was 20-53 years (mean 43). Mean LEV dose was 2000mg/day (range 250mg-4000mg). Patient[rsquo]s duration of LEV exposure ranged from two weeks to 34 months (mean 16 months). Ten patients (55%) had [gt]50% reduction in seizures, and one patient had [lt]50% decrease in seizures. Six patients (33%) had no improvement in seizure frequency. Of these six patients, their mean dose was 2500mg/day (range 1000-4000mg). Two patients reported increased seizures while taking LEV with doses of 500mg/day and 3000mg/day, respectively. Five patients demonstrated adverse mood or behavioral symptoms while on LEV, but 3 of these had a history of behavioral disorder, and in 2 of the 5 patients, symptoms abated spontaneously. Other adverse events (AE) reported included 2 patients with drowsiness (on a mean dose of 2750mg/day), one patient with dizziness which abated spontaneously, one patient with tremor, and one patient with skin complaints.
Similar to the experience in the general epilepsy population, LEV is a highly efficacious and generally well-tolerated treatment for DD epilepsy patients.
[Supported by: UCB Pharm]