Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
05:33
A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus
Published on: June 23, 2022
3.5K
Levetiracetam-induced eosinophilic pneumonia
Aisling Fagan1, Jonathan Fuld1, Elaine Soon2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
BMJ Case Reports
|March 10, 2017
Summary
Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic drug, can cause rare eosinophilic pneumonia. Prompt diagnosis and drug cessation are crucial for patient recovery from this pulmonary reaction.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Levetiracetam is a commonly prescribed antiepileptic medication known for its generally favorable safety profile.
- Older antiepileptic drugs are associated with more significant side effects, making newer agents like levetiracetam a preferred choice.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old non-smoking woman with no prior respiratory issues developed exertional dyspnea and significant oxygen desaturation.
- Chest radiography revealed characteristic 'reverse bat-wing' infiltrates, and blood tests showed peripheral eosinophilia.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms, radiographic findings, and peripheral eosinophilia resolved completely after discontinuing levetiracetam.
- This case represents the first documented instance of isolated eosinophilic pneumonia solely attributed to levetiracetam.
- Previous reports of levetiracetam-induced eosinophilia were associated with more severe conditions like DRESS syndrome.
Implications:
- Pulmonary drug reactions necessitate a thorough patient drug history and a high index of clinical suspicion.
- Early identification and withdrawal of the offending agent, in this case, levetiracetam, are critical for the resolution of drug-induced eosinophilic pneumonia.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
1.0K
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
1.0K
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
873
Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
873
01:19Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers
2.1K
Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
2.1K
01:01Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
78
Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...
78
01:30Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
80
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial...
80
01:16Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
75
Idiosyncratic drug reactions represent abnormal chemical responses that vary significantly among individuals, ranging from extreme sensitivity to low doses to insensitivity to high doses. These reactions often occur due to the drug's covalent binding with serum proteins, forming a foreign hapten that triggers an immunotoxicological response. The variability in drug reactions has a strong pharmacogenetic foundation, with genetic differences crucial in how individuals metabolize drugs. For...
75