Possible levetiracetam induced encephalopathy presenting as electrical status epilepticus: An unknown occurrence

• Published in: International journal of epilepsy Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 84 - 87
• Main Authors: Mahale, Rohan, Mehta, Anish, Javali, Mahendra, Sharma, Suryanarayana, Madhusudhan, Byadaralli Kempegowda, Srinivasa, Rangasetty
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: A-12, Second Floor, Sector -2, NOIDA -201301, India Elsevier B.V 01.12.2014; Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd
• Subjects: Case Report; EEG; Electrical status epilepticus; Electroencephalography; Encephalopathy; Levetiracetam; Neurology; Electroencephalography; Electrical status epilepticus; EEG; Encephalopathy; Levetiracetam
• ISSN: 2213-6320; 2213-6339
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijep.2014.10.001

Abstract Levetiracetam is a novel, broad spectrum anti-epileptic drug with proven efficacy in generalized as well as focal onset seizures. It has renal elimination with no hepatic metabolism. Levetiracetam induced encephalopathy is rarely reported in literature. Triphasic waves in the electroencephalogram are seen in toxic-metabolic encephalopathies of various aetiology like hepatic encephalopathy, uraemia. We report a patient who was on levetiracetam for acute symptomatic seizures and developed encephalopathy with electroencephalogram showing generalised triphasic waves. These triphasic waves disappeared with intravenous lorazepam but without clinical improvement in sensorium. The electroencephalographic abnormality appeared as electrical status epilepticus which got normalised on discontinuation of levetiracetam. This is the first report of levetiracetam induced encephalopathy presenting as electrical status epilepticus and also depicts electroencephalographic correlate of levetiracetam induced encephalopathy.