Retention rates of levetiraceram in Chinese children and adolescents with epilepsy

Abstract Background Levetiracetam (Lev) is a new antiepileptic drugs, proved to be effective and tolerance in regulatory trials, but these controlled trials do not always predict how useful a drug will be in day to day clinical practice, Retention rates can provide a better indication of efficacy an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of paediatric neurology 2015-03, Vol.19 (2), p.143-148
Main Authors: Feng, Xue-fei, Chen, Yu-xia, Liu, Ling, Xiao, Nong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Child
Child, Preschool
Chinese children and adolescent with epilepsy
Efficacy
Epilepsy - drug therapy
Female
Humans
Levetiraceram
Male
Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data
Neurology
Pediatrics
Piracetam - analogs & derivatives
Piracetam - therapeutic use
Retention rate
Side effects
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Summary:Abstract Background Levetiracetam (Lev) is a new antiepileptic drugs, proved to be effective and tolerance in regulatory trials, but these controlled trials do not always predict how useful a drug will be in day to day clinical practice, Retention rates can provide a better indication of efficacy and tolerability in everyday use. Methods Totally 124 patients with more than 3 months disease course were enrolled in the study from June 2007 to December 2007. The LEV dose ranged from 10 to 60 mg/kg per day. Follow up visit were performed at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months, and treatment effects, adverse effects were recorded. Results The LEV retention rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 93.5% (116/124), 84.7% (105/124), 65.3% (81/124), and 58.9% (73/124), respectively. The predominant causes of withdrawal were lack of efficacy (62.7%) and serious adverse effects (17.6%). In addition, 48.6% (51/105), 60.5% (49/81) and 72.6% (53/73) patients were seizure-free for 12 months, 24 months and 36 months, respectively. In this study, 75 (60.5%) patients experienced at least one side effect. The most common side effects observed were irritability 38.7% (29/75), somnolence 17.3% (13/75), learning disability 16.0% (12/75), anorexia 17.3% (13/75), somnipathy 13.3% (10/75), and abnormal behavior 13.3% (10/75). Conclusions Our study revealed the high retention rate of LEV in Chinese children and adolescents with epilepsy.
ISSN:1090-3798
1532-2130
DOI:10.1016/j.ejpn.2014.11.001