Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

The Adjuvant Efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pill in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Published on: April 19, 2024
Neuropsychiatric Adverse Effects Associated with the Use of Levetiracetam in Adults: A Systematic Review and
Sofía Ramírez-Guerrero1, Mariana Gaviria-Carrillo2, Jonathan Suárez Rubiano1
1Neuroscience Research Group (NeURos), Center for Neuroscience - NeURovitae, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia.
Objective:
Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum anti-seizure medication (ASM) with a good safety profile; however, the occurrence of neuropsychiatric manifestations has been described in relation to its use. The aim of this study was to provide an updated assessment of the neuropsychiatric adverse effects related to levetiracetam in patients aged 16 and older with epilepsy, without psychiatric comorbidity, and perform a meta-analysis comparing the occurrence of neuropsychiatric adverse effects between levetiracetam, placebo, and other ASMs.
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies published until March 14th, 2024, were included. Out of the 33 studies, 7 were randomized clinical trials comparing levetiracetam to placebo and 4 comparing levetiracetam to other ASM, all of which were selected for further quantitative analysis.
Results:
Somnolence was the most frequently reported NPAE (15 articles), followed by depression (11 articles). Fatigue, aggression/agitation, cognitive and memory impairment, irritability, anxiety, and behavioral changes were also commonly described. Across pooled analyses, levetiracetam-treated patients demonstrated a significantly higher risk of somnolence/drowsiness (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and asthenia/fatigue (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04-2.11) compared with placebo. In contrast, a separate meta-analysis comparing levetiracetam to other ASMs showed no significant difference for depression (OR 1.41, 95% CI: 0.80-2.51).
Conclusion:
Patients treated with levetiracetam have a greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric effects, such as somnolence and fatigue, compared to placebo.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
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...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
