Rapid Onset of Action of Levetiracetam in Refractory Epilepsy Patients
- 24 January 2005
- Vol. 46 (2) , 324-326
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0013-9580.2005.31504.x
Abstract
Summary: Purpose: To investigate whether rapid achievement of levetiracetam (LEV) steady state is translated into an immediate measurable efficacy. The time to onset of action of LEV immediately after its initiation in adult patients with refractory partial seizures was analyzed. Methods: Treatment effect was assessed in a pooled analysis (n = 883) from three randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled add‐on trials. Results: The increase in the proportion of seizure‐free patients over baseline was 15, 17, and 17% for the first, second, and third day, respectively, for the LEV 1,000‐mg group (all differences statistically significant; McNemar p value Conclusions: Evidence of a rapid onset of action of LEV 1,000 mg was demonstrated through a significant increase in the proportion of seizure‐free patients as of the first day of therapy.Keywords
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