PURPOSE: To investigate changes in levetiracetam (LEV) serum concentration/dose ratio (C/D-ratio) in relation to pregnancy. METHODS: Altogether 21 consecutive pregnancies in 20 women with epilepsy receiving LEV during gestation were studied retrospectively. The main target variable was the C/D-ratio before and during pregnancy, and in the post partum period. Secondary target variables were changes in LEV dose, concomitant use of other antiepileptic drugs and seizure frequency. Student's paired t-test and two-sample t-test for independent samples were used to test for statistically significant changes in C/D-ratio means. RESULTS: Mean C/D-ratio in the third trimester was 50% of the mean C/D-ratio at baseline (p<0.001, n=11). Baseline levels were reached within the first weeks after pregnancy. The interindividual variability was pronounced. CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of LEV declined significantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and increased rapidly after delivery.
PURPOSE: To investigate changes in levetiracetam (LEV) serum concentration/dose ratio (C/D-ratio) in relation to pregnancy. METHODS: Altogether 21 consecutive pregnancies in 20 women with epilepsy receiving LEV during gestation were studied retrospectively. The main target variable was the C/D-ratio before and during pregnancy, and in the post partum period. Secondary target variables were changes in LEV dose, concomitant use of other antiepileptic drugs and seizure frequency. Student's paired t-test and two-sample t-test for independent samples were used to test for statistically significant changes in C/D-ratio means. RESULTS: Mean C/D-ratio in the third trimester was 50% of the mean C/D-ratio at baseline (p<0.001, n=11). Baseline levels were reached within the first weeks after pregnancy. The interindividual variability was pronounced. CONCLUSIONS: Serum concentrations of LEV declined significantly in the third trimester of pregnancy and increased rapidly after delivery.
Authors: P Emanuela Voinescu; Suna Park; Li Q Chen; Zachary N Stowe; D Jeffrey Newport; James C Ritchie; Page B Pennell Journal: Neurology Date: 2018-09-05 Impact factor: 11.800