LEVETIRACETAM

Levetiracetam is an ethyl analogue of the nootropic agent piracetam. R esults from rodent studies indicate that the drug may offer protection against absence, generalised and partial seizures. Levetiracetam exhi bits linear pharmacokinetics and has a wide therapeutic index. Its pot ential to interact with other anticonvulsants appears to be low. Initi al findings from a total of 29 patients with treatment-refractory epil epsy suggest that levetiracetam may be beneficial in patients with par tial seizures. These results require confirmation. Somnolence and asth enia were the most common adverse events reported in patients receivin g levetiracetam 1000 to 4000 mg/day; these appeared to be dose-related .