Research Article
Expert Perspectives on Levetiracetam use in Epilepsy Management Across India
Manjula S* and Krishna Kumar M
Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding author:Dr Manjula S, Department of Medical Services, Micro Labs Limited, Race Course Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. E-mail Id: drmanjulas@gmail.com
Copyright: © 2025 Manjula S, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background:Although there are several studies available regarding the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for epilepsy management, there is a dearth of studies among clinicians in actual practice. This study aims to gather expert perspectives on the clinical use of levetiracetam for managing epilepsy in
Indian settings.
Methodology:This cross-sectional study was conducted with a 23-item questionnaire among clinicians specializing in epilepsy management. It explored clinical practice patterns, treatment preferences, and levetiracetam-specific usage. The survey also assessed adverse effects, measures on patient adherence, and use of levetiracetam in special populations. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, with results reported as frequencies and percentages.
Results:The survey included 293 participants, with the majority (90%) preferring levetiracetam as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed adult epilepsy. For pediatric partial seizures, 68% preferred it as their first choice. In clinical practice, 49% reported that 41–60% of their epilepsy patients are currently on levetiracetam. While 52% had no experience using it in rare epilepsy syndromes, 49% reported the same regarding its use during pregnancy. Additionally, 48% of experts observed that 6–10% of their patients with resistant epilepsy were already on optimal doses. According to 41% of clinicians, levetiracetam was most often preferred for generalized motor seizures. Behavioral changes were reported by 53% of respondents in fewer than 10% of patients, and 67% considered 1000 mg/day the optimal dose, balancing efficacy and side effects.
Conclusion:The survey underscores the strong preference of levetiracetam among clinicians as an antiepileptic drug for both adult and pediatric epilepsy. Its broad clinical applicability and favorable safety profile contribute significantly to its widespread adoption.
Methodology:This cross-sectional study was conducted with a 23-item questionnaire among clinicians specializing in epilepsy management. It explored clinical practice patterns, treatment preferences, and levetiracetam-specific usage. The survey also assessed adverse effects, measures on patient adherence, and use of levetiracetam in special populations. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, with results reported as frequencies and percentages.
Results:The survey included 293 participants, with the majority (90%) preferring levetiracetam as the first-line treatment for newly diagnosed adult epilepsy. For pediatric partial seizures, 68% preferred it as their first choice. In clinical practice, 49% reported that 41–60% of their epilepsy patients are currently on levetiracetam. While 52% had no experience using it in rare epilepsy syndromes, 49% reported the same regarding its use during pregnancy. Additionally, 48% of experts observed that 6–10% of their patients with resistant epilepsy were already on optimal doses. According to 41% of clinicians, levetiracetam was most often preferred for generalized motor seizures. Behavioral changes were reported by 53% of respondents in fewer than 10% of patients, and 67% considered 1000 mg/day the optimal dose, balancing efficacy and side effects.
Conclusion:The survey underscores the strong preference of levetiracetam among clinicians as an antiepileptic drug for both adult and pediatric epilepsy. Its broad clinical applicability and favorable safety profile contribute significantly to its widespread adoption.
Keywords:Epilepsy; Seizures; Antiepileptic Drugs; Levetiracetam