Anti-seizures therapeutics in patients with epilepsy: an approach to levetiracetam – review

Rusinowska Barbara. Anti-seizures therapeutics in patients with epilepsy: an approach to levetiracetam – review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2022;12(8):580-590. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2022.12.08.061

https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2022.12.08.061

https://zenodo.org/record/7010750

The journal has had 40 points in Ministry of Education and Science of Poland parametric evaluation. Annex to the announcement of the Minister of Education and Science of December 21, 2021. No. 32343.

Has a Journal's Unique Identifier: 201159. Scientific disciplines assigned: Physical Culture Sciences (Field of Medical sciences and health sciences); Health Sciences (Field of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences).

Punkty Ministerialne z 2019 - aktualny rok 40 punktów. Załącznik do komunikatu Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z dnia 21 grudnia 2021 r. Lp. 32343. Posiada Unikatowy Identyfikator Czasopisma: 201159.

Przypisane dyscypliny naukowe: Nauki o kulturze fizycznej (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu); Nauki o zdrowiu (Dziedzina nauk medycznych i nauk o zdrowiu).

© The Authors 2022;

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Received: 05.08.2022. Revised: 07.08.2022. Accepted: 19.08.2022.

Anti-seizures therapeutics in patients with epilepsy: an approach to levetiracetam – review

Barbara Rusinowska

Student Research Group at the Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology; Medical University of Lublin

Contact: rusinowskabarbara4@gmail.com; +48 794303542

Orcid: 0000-0002-8207-1042

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic condition that consists of a transient disorder of brain function manifested by recurrent and unprovoked seizures affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Antiepileptic treatment is aimed at possible improvement the quality of life by reducing epilepsy seizures with the lowest possible side effects. One of the newest broad spectrum antiepileptic drug (AED) for the treatment of wide range of epilepsies – focal, partial, myoclonic, tonic-clonic and primary generalized seizures that can be used in both children and adults is levetiracetam. Levetiracetam is believed to bind to SV2A (synaptic vesicle protein 2A) in the brain, prevent the release of calcium stores from neurons and inhibit GABA and glycine activity. Due to the unique mechanism of action, high bioavailability (in both oral and intravenous administration), rapid absorption, metabolism based on the hydrolysis of acetamide groups in the blood (independent of the liver) and the lack of activity of the resulting metabolites, the drug is considered to be safe and effective in reducing and stopping seizures. In this review, we present the latest reports on the effectiveness of levetiracetam and its potential in the treatment of epilepsy in children and adults.

Key words: epilepsy; levetiracetam; seizures; therapeutics; treatment; drug resistance