The side effects of levetiracetam monotherapy in pediatric epilepsy patients

Purpose: Levetiracetam is a new medicine that is used for the treatment of focal and generalized seizure control. Several side effects can be observed during treatment with levetiracetam . Studies testing the tolerability and safety of levetiracetam monotherapy in pediatric epilepsy patients are limited. We retrospectively evaluated the side effects of levetiracetam monotherapy and whether there are any clues to predict these side effects in the pediatric epilepsy population. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 1-17 years with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam monotherapy were included in the study. Age, gender, body weight, blood pressure, duration of levetiracetam use, dose, semiology, epilepsy type, EEG and MRI findings, hemogram and biochemical laboratory findings, and observed side effects were recorded. Results: Eighty-five patients were included in the study. Twenty-five (29%) patients had side effects. Treatment was discontinued in 11 patients due to side effects. The three most common side effects were agitation (8 patients, 9%), headache (5 patients, 5%) and fatigue (3 patients, 4%). There was no relationship between side effects and gender, body weight, seizure type, levetiracetam dose, duration, EEG, and MRI findings. Vitamin B12 Levels were lower in the group with side effects. The side effects are experienced more frequently in the older age group. Conclusion: Physical-behavioural side effects were observed in levetiracetam treatment. The age of the group with side effects was older. Lower B12 levels might have a role in initiating some side effects