Scientific article
Case report
English

Levetiracetam accumulation in renal failure causing myoclonic encephalopathy with triphasic waves

Published inSeizure, vol. 18, no. 5, p. 376-378
Publication date2009
Abstract

Triphasic waves are seen in the electro-encephalogram of adult patients with toxic-metabolic encephalopathies of various origins. Levetiracetam is a broad spectrum anti-epileptic drug with renal elimination and no hepatic metabolism. We describe the case of encephalopathy with triphasic waves concomitant with levetiracetam accumulation in a patient with chronic renal failure. The condition was reversible after down-titration of levetiracetam with no change of the renal function. Other causes of metabolic encephalopathy were excluded. Moreover, this patient suffered from a probable cortical myoclonus that relapsed after cessation of the drug but was well controlled by a low dosage adapted to the renal failure. In cases of metabolic encephalopathy with triphasic waves in a patient with renal failure taking levetiracetam, it is important to exclude toxic accumulation of levetiracetam among other causes.

Keywords
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticonvulsants/*adverse effects
  • Electroencephalography/methods
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic/chemically induced/*etiology/*physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Piracetam/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives
  • Renal Insufficiency/*complications/*physiopathology
Citation (ISO format)
VULLIEMOZ, Serge et al. Levetiracetam accumulation in renal failure causing myoclonic encephalopathy with triphasic waves. In: Seizure, 2009, vol. 18, n° 5, p. 376–378. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2009.01.006
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Identifiers
Journal ISSN1059-1311
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