IVP levetiracetam safe for paediatric patients

The incidence of adverse events does not significantly differ between paediatric patients who received undiluted levetiracetam intravenous push (IVP) over 5 min and those who received the antiepileptic drug (AED) as an IV piggyback (IVPB), a study has shown.

IVP levetiracetam demonstrated a comparable rate of adverse effects to IVPB levetiracetam in patients aged >1 year (5.5 percent vs 7.5 percent; p=0.3589). Furthermore, the time to administration of the study drug showed an improvement (50 min in the IVPB group and 23 min the IVP group; p=0.0008).

“This evaluation demonstrated that doses up to 1,500 mg of undiluted IVP levetiracetam is safe for paediatric patients,” the investigators said.

The study included patients aged 12 months to 18 years who received IVP or IVPB levetiracetam. The medication regimen data recorded the dose of levetiracetam, number of doses administered, and total days of administration, as well as time point related to order entry, pharmacist verification, and dose administration.

The investigators assessed the safety endpoints, including the rates of bradycardia, hypotension, behavioural changes, and cutaneous drug reactions. They also performed descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using SPSS software.

“Evidence supports the safe administration of levetiracetam as a rapid IVP in patients experiencing breakthrough seizures or status epilepticus,” the investigators said. “Use of this route of administration may decrease morbidity and mortality by reducing time to medication delivery.”