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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Levetiracetam-induced diffuse interstitial lung disease

Scott D Newsome1, Lanny Y Xue, Timothy Jennings

  • 1Department of Neurology, Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA. newsoms@mail.amc.edu

Journal of Child Neurology
|August 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study details the first reported case of diffuse interstitial lung disease caused by levetiracetam. Discontinuation of the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam led to clinical improvement in a pediatric patient.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Levetiracetam is a widely used anti-epileptic drug.
  • Diffuse interstitial lung disease is a serious pulmonary condition.
  • Aspiration pneumonia is common in children with neurological impairments.

Observation:

  • A 9-year-old girl with epilepsy and cerebral palsy presented with refractory aspiration pneumonia.
  • Her levetiracetam dosage was recently increased.
  • Lung biopsy revealed a diffuse interstitial lung process.

Findings:

  • Levetiracetam was identified as the likely cause of drug-induced interstitial pneumonitis.
  • The patient's condition improved after levetiracetam withdrawal and steroid treatment.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare but significant adverse effect of levetiracetam.
  • Clinicians should consider levetiracetam-induced lung disease in patients with unexplained pulmonary symptoms.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the mechanism of levetiracetam-induced lung injury.

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