Aggravation of absence seizure related to levetiracetam

Recent data have reported the effectiveness of levetiracetam (LVT) on generalized seizures. Among them, it seems that LVT can be successfully used to treat absence seizures. Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been occasionally reported to paradoxically aggravate some seizures. We retrospectively identified patients with aggravation of absence seizures using LVT from the databases of 2 pediatric neurology departments (Robert-Debré, Paris and Amiens; France). We also used the prospective data from an open-label clinical trial performed in a third pediatric neurology department (Necker, Paris; France). We included 6 patients: n = 2 childhood absence epilepsy, n = 3 juvenile absence epilepsy and n = 1 epilepsy with myoclonic absences. All of them have had an aggravation of the absences with a causal and temporal relationship between introduction of the drug and the detrimental effect. The aggravation disappeared when LVT was decreased or was withdrawn. This report highlights that LVT may aggravate epilepsy with absence seizures.

► Levetiracetam can be successfully used to treat absence seizures. ► Many antiepileptic drugs have been occasionally reported to paradoxically aggravate seizures. ► We report 6 patients with an aggravation of the absence seizures with levetiracetam. ► n = 2 childhood absence epilepsy, n = 3 juvenile absence epilepsy, n = 1 myoclonic absences. ► This report highlights that LVT may aggravate epilepsy with absence seizures.