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Intravenous levetiracetam : treatment experience with the first 50 critically ill patients

Rüegg, S. and Naegelin, Y. and Hardmeier, M. and Winkler, D. T. and Marsch, S. and Fuhr, P.. (2008) Intravenous levetiracetam : treatment experience with the first 50 critically ill patients. Epilepsy & behavior, Vol. 12, H. 3. pp. 477-480.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6006598

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Abstract

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug with no known interactions and a favorable profile of adverse events. These properties make it a good candidate for use in critically ill patients. An intravenous formulation of LEV was recently approved. The present study retrospectively assesses the safety and efficacy of LEV in the first 50 critically ill patients treated with intravenous LEV. Indications for use were seizure prophylaxis, acute symptomatic seizures, and all forms of status epilepticus. There were no major adverse effects, although less prominent changes may have been masked by the already severely compromised condition of these patients. Two patients (4%) had transiently lowered platelet counts (55,000 and 82,000, respectively). Efficacy, defined as cessation of seizure activity or prevention of its recurrence, was observed in 41 of 50 patients (82%). Antiepileptic treatment of critically ill patients with LEV seems to be effective and safe according to the data for this small cohort, but this observation warrants further prospective investigation in a larger number of patients.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Neurologie
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Neurologie
03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Intensivmedizin > Intensivmedizin (Marsch)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Medizinische Fächer (Klinik) > Intensivmedizin > Intensivmedizin (Marsch)
UniBasel Contributors:Rüegg, Stephan and Fuhr, Peter and Marsch, Stephan
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1525-5050
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:31 Jan 2014 09:49
Deposited On:31 Jan 2014 09:49

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