levetiracetam and Anhedonia

The relationship between the older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and sexual dysfunction has long been known and it is likely to be related to sexual hormonal changes. Instead, rare reports on sexual disorders related to new AEDs suggest the possibility of complex and poorly understood mechanisms, mainly involving central nervous system neurotransmitters such as glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine. Herein, we describe two young men with epilepsy who experienced severe loss of libido and anhedonia after levetiracetam intake.

Topics: Adult; Anhedonia; Anticonvulsants; Brain; Electroencephalography; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Epilepsy, Complex Partial; Erectile Dysfunction; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Lamotrigine; Levetiracetam; Libido; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Piracetam; Triazines; Valproic Acid; Young Adult