levetiracetam and Pancytopenia

Topics: Anticonvulsants; Humans; Levetiracetam; Pancytopenia; Piracetam

Pancytopenia has only rarely been reported with Levetiracetam use. It is a potentially life threatening adverse effect that requires cessation of therapy.. We describe a case of an otherwise well thirty-two-year-old man who underwent an emergent craniotomy for evacuation of a traumatic extra-dural haematoma. Post-operatively, he developed pancytopenia which corrected with cessation of levetiracetam.. This report aims to increase awareness of this rare side effect and reiterates the judicious use of prophylactic levetiracetam in brain trauma.

Topics: Adult; Anticonvulsants; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Craniotomy; Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial; Humans; Levetiracetam; Male; Pancytopenia; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

Haematological toxicity due to antiepileptic drugs is uncommon, but the increased risk of aplastic anaemia has been reported. Few case reports have been published regarding pancytopenia associated with levetiracetam treatment, and its intrinsic pathogenesis is still unknown. We describe the case of a woman aged 77 years who presented with abdominal pain and loss of appetite. She had been taking valproic acid, due to a previous episode of epileptic seizures, and presented with drowsiness and dizziness. Valproate was discontinued and therapy with levetiracetam was initiated. 2 days later, we observed severe anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia, which were attributed to levetiracetam. Although she recovered soon after the treatment was discontinued, it took 2 weeks for cell counts to return to normal.

Topics: Aged; Anticonvulsants; Epilepsy; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Levetiracetam; Pancytopenia; Piracetam

Topics: Adolescent; Aged; Anticonvulsants; Female; Humans; Lafora Disease; Levetiracetam; Pancytopenia; Piracetam

Topics: Aged; Anticonvulsants; Female; Humans; Levetiracetam; Pancytopenia; Piracetam; Status Epilepticus

Levetiracetam is a pyrrolidine derivate that is approved for the treatment of seizures. It has a favourable pharmacokinetic profile, no clearly established pharmacological interactions, good tolerability and offers the possibility of rapid treatment. We describe a case of pancytopenia and multiple infections observed in the context of levetiracetam treatment. A 65-year-old woman who underwent surgical removal of a meningioma developed progressive pancytopenia complicated by pneumonia and multiple liver abscesses after starting levetiracetam therapy. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. A gradual spontaneous recovery of normal haematopoiesis followed discontinuation of levetiracetam.

Topics: Aged; Anticonvulsants; Female; Humans; Levetiracetam; Pancytopenia; Piracetam