Use of levetiracetam in a population of patients aged 65 years and older: a subset analysis of the KEEPER trial EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR Ferrendelli, J. A., French, J., Leppik, I., Morrell, M. J., Herbeuval, A., Han, J., Magnus, L. 2003; 4 (6): 702-709

Abstract

Levetiracetam (Keppra) was evaluated in a subset of patients aged >/=65 years (n=78) enrolled in a large (n=1030) open-label, phase IV trial (the KEEPER trial). A 4-week dose adjustment was followed by a 12-week evaluation period. An overall median reduction in partial seizures of 80.1% (n=65) was observed. Overall, 76.9% of patients were >/=50% responders, 56.9% were >/=75% responders, and 40.0% were 100% responders. Levetiracetam was well tolerated, with 42.3% of patients reporting one or more adverse events. A total of 15 patients (19.2%) experienced an adverse event that led to discontinuation. Somnolence (n=13,16.7%) and dizziness (n=7,9.0%) were the most commonly reported adverse events. Despite the limitations of the open-label study design, these data provide information regarding the use of levetiracetam as add-on therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients >/=65 years of age, including those requiring concomitant medications.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.yebeh.2003.09.007

View details for Web of Science ID 000187243300015

View details for PubMedID 14698704