Levetiracetam in the treatment of status epilepticus in adults: a study of 13 episodes.

Treatment of status epilepticus (SE) has changed little over the last two decades, but the burden of this condition remains important. There is thus a need for alternative pharmacological therapies. Levetiracetam (LEV) has a wide spectrum of action and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile; however, little data exist regarding its use in SE. We identified patients with SE who received LEV, in a database comprising 127 SE episodes. Demographic, clinical and pharmacological data were analyzed, and compared to a control group consisting of 2 subjects from the database for each LEV patient, matched for age and sex. We identified 13 SE episodes occurring in 12 patients (10% of the database). Demographic, etiologic and clinical characteristics and outcome did not differ between the groups. Daily LEV dose ranged between 1,000-6,000 mg. Three patients were probable responders (23%), 1 responded to the treatment but subsequently died (8%), 4 were non-responders (31%, 1 died), and 5 had an undetermined response (38%). LEV may represent a useful alternative in the treatment of SE, particularly if a parenteral form of administration becomes available; to better define its role in this setting, prospective studies are needed.