Levetiracetam is highly effective as add-on treatment in refractory partial-onset
seizures but there are only limited data supporting its benefit in generalised
epilepsies. We have reviewed the clinical records of 25 consecutive adult patients with generalised
epilepsies (84% females; mean age 34 (range 16-75) years) prescribed
levetiracetam for at least six months. The
epilepsy was considered idiopathic in 22 patients (88%)--including 13 with
juvenile myoclonic epilepsy--and symptomatic in three. Most patients (68%) reported some improvement in seizure frequency on
levetiracetam including 16% who became seizure free.
Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated although 11/25 (44%) of patients reported some tiredness, weight change or
rash.
Levetiracetam was stopped in five patients, four because of side effects and one though lack of efficacy. In four cases, pre-existing
antiepileptic medication was withdrawn, leaving
levetiracetam as monotherapy. We conclude that
levetiracetam is a useful add-on treatment for patients with refractory generalised
epilepsies.