Investigation of cross-reactivity between phenobarbital and levetiracetam in children with epilepsy: A prospective, observational multicenter study.
Epilepsy Behav Rep 2023;
21:100583. [PMID:
36685756 PMCID:
PMC9851852 DOI:
10.1016/j.ebr.2023.100583]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives
Pharmaceutical allergic reactions due to antiseizure medications (ASMs) are one of the major concerns in the management of patients. Finding an alternative ASM which does not cause allergic reactions and has acceptable effectiveness can be difficult. In this regard, the present study attempts to investigate the cross-reactivity between phenobarbital and levetiracetam in children under treatment for seizure control.
Materials & Methods
The present study is a prospective, observational independent assessor study. 30 children with epilepsy who were hypersensitive to phenobarbital therapy were studied. In order to evaluate the cross-reactivity of the drugs, levetiracetam replaced phenobarbital to control seizure. Within 6 months, any allergic reactions and seizure recurrences were evaluated in the patients.
Results
53 % of the children in this study were female. The mean age of patients was 42.4 months. In patients' follow up no cross-reactive responses were observed in any of the patients. Seizure recurrence rate was 30 % in the first six months of follow up that with increasing dosage in the second six months of follow-up, decreased to 10 %.
Conclusion
Based on the results of this study, in children with epilepsy controlled by phenobarbital if allergic reactions to phenobarbital occur, levetiracetam may be used as a suitable alternative medicine.
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