A Review Of Use Of Levetiracetam As An Antiepileptic In Children And Neonates

Levetiracetam, a pyrolidine derivative, is a newer antiepileptic drug whose efficacy and tolerability are already well known in adults. Few studies are available in children. Most studies suggest that levetiracetam is effective against partial and generalized epilepsy. The drug has also proven effective against photosensitivity, epileptic syndromes and epileptic and nonepileptic myoclonus. LEV is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral ingestion, is less than 10% protein-bound demon¬strates linear kinetics and is minimally metabolized through a pathway independent of the cytochrome P450 system. It has no significant drug-to-drug inter¬actions. The most common reported adverse events with LEV were somnolence, irritability, dizziness, nausea, influenza, and nasopharyngitis but these adverse reactions are mild and can be partially avoided with slow titration. Levetiracetam seems to have a broad spectrum of action and is, on the whole, well tolerated. This review, based on the international literature, aims to identify and make known the possible indications for levetiracetam in childhood.