The clinical efficacy and safety of levetiracetam add-on therapy for child refractory epilepsy

J. Chen, X.-M. Liu, X. Yue, S.-Z. Chen

Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Children’s Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China. minglx@yeah.net

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Levetiracetam (LEV) add-on therapy for child refractory epilepsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Levetiracetam add-on therapy was tested on 65 children who suffered refractory epilepsy, and clinical seizures. Electroencephalogram (EGG) changes and adverse reactions were observed in these children respectively in three, six and twelve months after the therapy.

RESULTS: The complete control rates observed after 3, 6 and 12 months were respectively: 6.9%, 10.3% and 3.4%, while the response rates were accordingly 44.8%, 58.6% and 39.6%. The ameliorative rate of EGG reached 65.5%, appearing in positive correlation with the clinical efficacy (r = 0.436, p = 0.001). The retention rate after one year was 89%. Adverse reactions were expressed in 3% of the child patients, and the symptoms were dysphoria, mental and behavior disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: The levetiracetam add-on therapy for child refractory epilepsy, demonstrates fast and obvious efficacy as well as fewer adverse reactions.

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