Abstracts

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) drug licensed and marketed for the add-on treatment of partial epilepsy. In our open-label prospective study we evaluated the efficacy of LEV in patients with [lsquo]high frequency[lsquo] refractory partial or secondary generalised seizures. We evaluated 53 patients-ITT (25 female 28 male), mean age of 33.5[plusmn]9.1 years, with refractory partial epilepsy and high frequency partial seizures, mean seizure frequency per month: total (29.8), SPS (10.4), CPS (18.4) with or without secondary generalisation SGTC (0.9). Patients were receiving one or 2 other AEDs (for at least 4 weeks at stable doses) before commencing LEV as add-on therapy. The follow-up period was 4 months, during which no changes of baseline AEDs were made. LEV mean daily dosage was 2291.7 [plusmn] 617.4 mg and 48 patients completed the study (retention rate 90.5%). 21% (N=11) of patients achieved seizure freedom, the responder rate ([ge]50% seizure frequency reduction) was 49%. The significant main seizure reduction was relatively prompt in the first month of therapy. 3 pts. were discontinued due to treatment unefficacy. Mild to moderate adverse events were observed in 26% (14 patients, leading to therapy discontinuation in 5.7% (3) of patients. 4.2% (2) patients experienced mild anxiety and depressive symptoms, in 4 patients (responders) we found mild signes of iritability and insomnia, 3 of these patients were also treated with lamotrigine. There were no psychiatric reasons for LEV treatment discontinuation in the group of our patients. Statistical evaluation will be presented. Our results confirm the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam as add-on therapy in patients with high frequency refractory partial seizures with a relatively rapid treatment response (in the first month).