Abstracts

Leveiracetam is an effective drug for generalized and focal seizures and can be used in a variety of seizure types and epilepsy syndromes. Because of the broad-spectrum nature of the drug, it is often used in the developmentally delayed population with severe seizure disorders and multiple seizure types. We have retrospectively reviewed medical records of 30 patients who are developmentally delayed and were treated with levetiracetam. This population often suffer from psychiatric and/or behavioral difficulties. We were particularly interested in the reason for discontinuation of the drug, particularly if this was related to psychiatric or behavioral difficulties. We also assessed whether patients with psychiatric/behavioral difficulties prior to the use of levetiracetam had a higher discontinuation rate due to worsening of their previous condition. Thirty patients with developmental delay were assessed for their ability to be maintained on levetiracetam. The majority of patients were able to be maintained on levetiracetam without significant deterioration in psychiatric or behavioral difficulties. This proved true of patients whether or not they had had previous behavioral or psychiatric problems. Rare instances of other types of side-effects were noted, resulting in the need to discontinue the drug. Levetiracetam is well tolerated in the developmentally delayed population and has proven to be an effective anticonvulsant in this group. Psychiatric/behavioral difficulties are not commonly precipitated or worsened with levetiracetam, including patients who have previous, recurrent, or continuing problems in this realm.