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Date of Award
Spring 2020
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Zachary Weik MHS, PA-C
Abstract
While many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) exist to prevent seizures, their side effect profiles vary greatly from medication to medication. One of the most common AED side effects is severe somnolence. As a result, this review examines whether levetiracetam elicits less somnolence than valproate in patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2018, with a total of six articles being selected for analysis. Four out of the six studies showed statistically significant improvement with levetiracetam use in preventing somnolence as a side effect compared to valproate. This was measured through long term follow up and analysis of side effect profile via patient surveys and ADE scoring systems. As such, a clinical shift in prescribing levetiracetam first-line for generalized tonic-clonic seizures should be encouraged. However, this analysis also reveals the need for more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this field, as well as studies directly comparing older AEDs to newer ones. With more research on this topic, the conclusion found here can be further supported and elaborated on.
Recommended Citation
Ruth, Christian, "The Efficacy of Levetiracetam in Lowering Adverse Events of Somnolence Compared to Valproate during Treatment of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures" (2020). Capstone Showcase. 97.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2020/pa/97
The Efficacy of Levetiracetam in Lowering Adverse Events of Somnolence Compared to Valproate during Treatment of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
While many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) exist to prevent seizures, their side effect profiles vary greatly from medication to medication. One of the most common AED side effects is severe somnolence. As a result, this review examines whether levetiracetam elicits less somnolence than valproate in patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar in November 2018, with a total of six articles being selected for analysis. Four out of the six studies showed statistically significant improvement with levetiracetam use in preventing somnolence as a side effect compared to valproate. This was measured through long term follow up and analysis of side effect profile via patient surveys and ADE scoring systems. As such, a clinical shift in prescribing levetiracetam first-line for generalized tonic-clonic seizures should be encouraged. However, this analysis also reveals the need for more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this field, as well as studies directly comparing older AEDs to newer ones. With more research on this topic, the conclusion found here can be further supported and elaborated on.