Efficacy and Tolerabilityof Leviteracetum and Topiramate in Patients with Epilepsy

Abstract

A total of 50 patients were enrolled for study purpose. The study conducted was a prospective, observational study from July 2009 to October 2009. Patients were seen on five separate occasions (1) Baseline (week 0) At the beginning of initial treatment, patients were divided into two groups i.e; Topiramate gp; and Leve-tiracetam. Patients were given the respective drugs and then asked to follow up after fifteen days. First follow-up visit was after 15 days of treatment, second follow-up visit (30 days after first follow-up visit, third fol-low-up (after 45 days) and final visit (60 days after ini-tial treatment). Levetiracetam was administered at a dose of 250 – 500 mg b. i. d and Topiramate 50 mg

b i d. During each phase concomitant anti-epileptic regimes remained constant. In addition Folic acid was prescribed to every patient. Statistical analysis was performed using software SPSS version v. 16.0 for Windows. In the primary analysis 95% confidence intervals for both upper and lower bound means, ANOVA and t-test were performed.

Conclusion:  This study supports the effectiveness of Anti-Epileptic Drugs as add – on therapy. Topiramate did not prove superior, but it may be a good choice for patients allergic to other anti-epileptic drugs because of the lower risk for rash. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum AED and compares well with long – acting VPA and CBZ. Results may have been better with an Extended Release (ER) formulation of Levetiracetam. The retention rate for LEV is statistically significant as is TPM. LEV had a more favorable side effect profile than TPM with comparable efficacy. Patients on TPM discontinued treatment mainly because of neurocogni-tive side effects and allergic reactions. In the treatment with LEV, the effects on mood must not be underesti-mated.

Keywords:  Epilepsy, seizures, antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam, topiramate.