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Levetiracetam for seizures in children with brain tumors and other cancers
Author(s) -
Partap Sonia,
Fisher Paul Graham
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.21772
Subject(s) - levetiracetam , medicine , pharmacokinetics , adverse effect , anticonvulsant , chemotherapy , epilepsy , blood cancer , pharmacology , pediatric cancer , cancer , oncology , psychiatry
Children with brain tumors and other cancers can suffer from seizures. Unfortunately, most antiepileptic therapies are metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. Levetiracetam, a newer anticonvulsant, does not undergo CYP metabolism and does not alter the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy, antiemetics, and corticosteroids, which are metabolized by the liver. We studied 23 patients with cancer and seizures treated with levetiracetam. Over 95% of patients had fewer seizures, with 65.2% becoming seizure free; only one patient experienced an adverse reaction. Levetiracetam is effective and well tolerated in children with brain tumors and other cancers, who are often on multiple enzyme‐inducing drugs. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:288–289. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.