Levetiracetam (levebel) Versus Carbamazepine Monotherapy for Focal Epilepsy in Children: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at comparing the effect of a newly approved drug leveitiracetam (LEV) versus carbamazepine (CBZ) in the treatment of childhood focal epilepsy. METHODS & MATERIALS: The study population included newly diagnosed children with focal epilepsy (1-16 years old) referring to the Pediatric Neurology Ward of Quaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran from May 2013 to March 2014. The subjects were randomly treated with LEV or CBZ. Patients were followed for seizure control and drug side effects throughout six months. We assessed liver function and complete blood count for all patients through one month and they were asked about significant side effects, such as drowsiness، restlessness, and skin reaction. Eventually, they were assigned in two groups (n=25) receiving LEV and CBZ. RESULTS: In our study, two cases in the LEV group were excluded because of severe agitation. Relapsing seizures were observed in 3 (13%) and 10 (40%) patients in LEV and CBZ groups, respectively. The seizure was not repeated in 15 cases (60%) in the CBZ group and 20 cases (87%) in the LEV group. The results of the Chi-squared test showed significant differences in the responses to treatment between the groups (P=0.03). Agitation was the most prevalent complication in the LEV group, whereas drowsiness was more common in the CBZ group. Fortunately, liver enzyme dysfunction and blood cell disturbances were not observed in the subjects. CONCLUSION: According to the findings, there were significant differences in controlling seizures between two groups that indicated the effectiveness of LEV (87%) in the suppression of focal seizure.