Assessment into the usage of levetiracetam in a canine epilepsy clinic

Abstract

BackgroundRetrospective studies can complement information derived from double-blinded randomized trials. There are multiple retrospective studies reporting good efficacy and tolerability of the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV) in human patients with epilepsy; however, reports of LEV's tolerability and efficacy in dogs with epilepsy remain limited. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the use of LEV in a canine epilepsy clinic and determine the long-term efficacy and tolerability of LEV in veterinary clinical practice. The electronic database of a UK based referral hospital was searched for LEV usage in dogs with seizures. Information and data necessary for the evaluation were obtained from a combination of electronic and written hospital records, the referring veterinary surgeons’ records and telephone interviews with dog owners. Only dogs that were reportedly diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy were included in the study.ResultsFifty-two dogs were included in this retrospective study. Two treatment protocols were recognised; 29 dogs were treated continuously with LEV and 23 dogs received interval or pulse treatment for cluster seizures. LEV treatment resulted in 69% of dogs having a 50% or greater reduction of seizure frequency whilst 15% of all the dogs were completely free from seizures. Seizure frequency reduced significantly in the whole population. No dog was reported to experience life-threatening side effects. Mild side effects were experienced by 46% of dogs and a significantly higher number of these dogs were in the pulse treatment group. The most common side-effects reported were sedation and ataxia.ConclusionsLEV appears to be effective and well tolerated for reduction of seizures.

Pharmacokinetics of the anticonvulsant levetiracetam in neonatal foals

“…It can be administered both i.v. Levetiracetam has been shown to be safe and efficacious in human patients, dogs, and cats [7][8][9][10], and is currently recommended as a second-line therapy in these species based on the results of these studies. Levetiracetam has been shown to be safe and efficacious in human patients, dogs, and cats [7][8][9][10], and is currently recommended as a second-line therapy in these species based on the results of these studies.…”

Overexpression of Synaptic Vesicle Protein 2A Inhibits Seizures and Amygdaloid Electroencephalogram Activity in Pilocarpine-induced Pharmacoresistant Epileptic Rats

“…Several studies have reported good efficacy and tolerability of LEV in human patients with epilepsy [14]. Recent experimental data demonstrated that LEV accesses SV2A through vesicular endocytosis [10,34].…”

“…Clinically, there is a group of intractable patients who show an impressive response to LEV after failing many antiepileptic drugs [12,13]. Multiple retrospective studies have reported good efficacy and tolerability of LEV in human patients with epilepsy [14]. LEV was developed for use as an add-on therapy in patients with intractable epilepsy [12].…”

2015 ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Statement on Seizure Management in Dogs

“…A retrospective evaluation of dogs treated at an epilepsy referral center described response rates to successively administered antiepileptic drugs 101. In this study, 32 dogs were given a third‐line drug after failure to respond to phenobarbital and bromide in combination, 27 of which were treated with levetiracetam.…”