Abstracts

RATIONALE: Epilepsy can be treated successfully with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in 60-70% of patients. However, despite the vast expansion in AEDs available over the last decade, the proportion of patients remaining refractory to drug treatment has not significantly changed. A rational approach to prescribing new AEDs in this group of patients is required, but evidence for this is limited. Levetiracetam (LEV) was licensed in the UK in November 2000 for use as add-on therapy in partial-onset seizures. By prospectively analyzing all patients treated with LEV in the first 12 months post-license, we aim to provide information to guide future prescribing.
METHODS: All patients treated with LEV were identified using a computerized database and pharmacy records. The following details were recorded : age of onset, diagnosis, seizure types, previous medical and AED history, concomitant AEDs, reason for stopping LEV if applicable, drug regime on cessation, and seizure outcome. Overall survival analysis and multivariate analysis will be performed to identify predictive factors for the retention or cessation of LEV.
RESULTS: In the first 6 months 100 patients have been prescribed LEV. After 12 months there will be some data on over 200 patients and follow up data of greater than 6 months in approximately 100.
CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide data on the use of LEV in clinical practice. It will also identify factors that can predict outcome (retention or discontinuation), and thereby guide future practice on the rational prescribing of this new AED.