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Published on: June 23, 2022

Efficacy and tolerability of intravenous levetiracetam in childrens

Jose Aceves1, Owais Khan, Diana Mungall

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Scott & White Hospital , Temple, TX , USA.

Frontiers in Neurology
|August 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Intractable childhood epilepsy is a challenge. Intravenous levetiracetam shows promise for acute seizure management in children and neonates, though larger trials are needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Intractable epilepsy in children presents significant challenges, often leading to frequent hospitalizations.
  • Delayed treatment can result in resistance to first-line anticonvulsants, even with FDA-approved agents.
  • Intravenous levetiracetam, approved in 2006 for patients 16 and older, offers an alternative when oral administration is not feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent data on the safety and tolerability of intravenous levetiracetam in pediatric and neonatal populations.
  • To highlight the need for further research into the efficacy of intravenous levetiracetam for acute seizure management.

Main Methods:

  • Review of published literature on intravenous levetiracetam use in pediatric patients.
  • Analysis of safety and tolerability data from existing studies.

Main Results:

  • Existing data suggest intravenous levetiracetam is safe and effective in acute inpatient settings.
  • The agent has demonstrated utility as an alternative treatment option.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous levetiracetam appears safe and tolerable for acute seizure management in neonates and children.
  • A larger prospective multicenter trial is necessary to definitively establish its efficacy.

Keywords:
childrenepilepsyintractable epilepsyintravenous levetiracetamseizuresstatus epilepticus

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