Epilepsy research
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Randomized Controlled Trial Meta Analysis Clinical Trial
Levetiracetam does not alter body weight: analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Increases in body weight gain are important, and clinically significant adverse effects of several antiepileptic drugs (AED) including valproate and gabapentin. Weight gain may contribute to medication non-compliance, discontinuation, and importantly, may have secondary medical implications as well. Levetiracetam (LEV) is indicated for adjunctive treatment of partial seizures. The objective of the present evaluation was to examine the effects of LEV treatment on body weight in adult patients. ⋯ We conclude that treatment with LEV at clinically relevant dosages is not associated with significant weight change. LEV would, therefore, appear to be a weight neutral AED.