Epilepsy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epilepsy, including details on symptoms, causes, treatment, drugs, information.

Intravenous levetiracetam in the treatment of benzodiazepine refractory status epilepticus.

Knake S, Gruener J, Hattemer K, Klein KM, Bauer S, Oertel WH, Hamer HM, Rosenow F

Epilepsy Centre Marburg, Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Rudolf-Bultmann-Str 8, 35033 Marburg, Germany. knake@staff.uni-marburg.de

In 2006, levetiracetam was approved as the first of the newer anticonvulsive drugs as an intravenous formulation (ivLEV) for patients with epileptic seizures who are unable to take oral medication. We report our experience with the use of ivLEV for the treatment of 18 episodes of benzodiazepine refractory focal status epilepticus (SE) in 16 patients, including four patients with secondary generalised SE. SE was controlled in all patients by the given combination of drugs; application of further antiepileptic medications after ivLEV was necessary in two episodes. No severe side effects occurred. Our data suggest that ivLEV may be an alternative for the treatment of SE in the future, even in patients that did not respond to benzodiazepines. A large prospective, randomised, controlled study is warranted to investigate the efficacy and safety of ivLEV for the treatment of SE.

Published 14 April 2008 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 79(5): 588-9.
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