Extensive pharmacokinetic variability of Levetiracetam. ¿Are doctors aware? Articles uri icon

authors

  • de Toledo, Maria
  • de la Fuente, Elisa
  • Ramos, Carmen
  • Ferreiros Martinez, Raquel
  • Muro, Ines
  • Vieira Campos, Alba
  • TOLEDO HERAS, MARIA PAULA DE
  • Lagares, Alfonso
  • Sobrado, Monica
  • Ovejero Benito, Maria C.

publication date

  • November 2022

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 8

issue

  • 107029

volume

  • 187

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0920-1211

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1872-6844

abstract

  • Levetiracetam was presented as a drug with linear pharmacokinetics. There is currently evidence on its extensive pharmacokinetic variability in real clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To describe levetiracetam pharmacokinetic variability in patients with epilepsy in real clinical practice. To evaluate the effect on levetiracetam levels of gender, age, renal function, and polytherapy. To describe how clinicians prescribe based on age and co-medication. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of epilepsy patients treated with levetiracetam for whom plasma levels were available. RESULTS: 151 patients. Median levetiracetam level of 17.75 mg/L, median dose of 2000 mg/day. There was a significant correlation between daily dose and serum levels (p less than 0.01). There was a 18.1% increase in levetiracetam concentration/dose ratio in patients over 65 years of age (p less than 0.05) that also correlated with decreased glomerular filtration (p less than 0.01). Clinicians corrected doses so patients over 65 years had similar levels than younger patients. There was a 30.1% decrease of concentration/dose ratio in patients on polytherapy with potent enzyme inducer antiseizure medication (p less than 0.05), and a 46.3% decrease for carbamazepine (p less than 0.01). Clinicians did not correct doses, so patients treated with levetiracetam and carbamazepine had 27.5% lower levels than patients taking other polytherapy. CONCLUSION: The pharmacokinetic variability of levetiracetam is wider than originally thought. Age and co-medication with strong enzyme-inducing drugs, especially carbamazepine, significantly influence levetiracetam levels. Clinicians at our center did not consider this interaction and prescribed similar doses of levetiracetam when it was used in combination with these drugs or with others, so they probably were not aware of this interaction.

subjects

  • Computer Science
  • Medicine

keywords

  • antiepileptic drugs; antiseizure medication; epilepsy; levetiracetam; pharmacokinetic variability; therapeutic drug monitoring