Since its introduction into clinical practice in 1999, @entity4677 , the S enantiomer of @entity2475 , has rapidly found a secure place, initially in the therapy of partial onset @entity410 and subsequently in the treatment of @entity3762 ( @entity3762 ). It has many of the properties of an "ideal" antiepileptic drug, including rapid absorption, linear pharmokinetics, and sparse drug interactions. Tolerabiliy is generally excellent in both adults and @entity1 , although tiredness is a common dose-limiting adverse effect. Occasionally the drug can precipitate @entity146 , especially in @entity1 with @entity4207 . There is a wide safety margin in @entity1445 . In common with most antiepileptic drugs its mode of action remains uncertain. @entity4677 binds to a specific site in the brain, influences intracellular @entity460 currents and reverses negative allosteric modulators of @entity1246 - and @entity2228 -gated currents in vitro. Its effectiveness has been demonstrated in animal models of @entity302 and in clinical trials of partial onset and @entity3762 . Treatment of @entity20687 may be straightforward, with many @entity1 demonstrating an excellent and robust response to @entity1092 monotherapy. However, there remains a significant minority of @entity1 for whom @entity1092 is unsuitable, including those who experience unacceptable adverse effects (e.g., @entity1017 or hair loss) and @entity1 of childbearing age in whom the teratogenic potential of @entity1092 is unacceptable. Therapeutic response to @entity2812 in this group is often disappointing, and many clinicians now are turning to the choice of @entity4677 . Efficacy in generalized @entity410 and @entity2045 is usually apparent and some @entity1 experience improvement in typical absences. Experience of combinations of @entity4677 with other antiepileptic drugs is limited in @entity3762 and the responses are largely anecdotal. In our hands, @entity1 with refractory @entity20687 may respond to combinations of @entity4677 with @entity1092 , @entity2812 , and @entity109 , and adverse effects when they occur are usually limited to tiredness. @entity4677 does not interact with the oral contraceptive pill, simplifying treatment in @entity1 of childbearing age. Although animal data look encouraging, questions over @entity4677 's teratogenic potential and overall safety in pregnancy will remain for many years to come.

@entity4677 in the treatment of XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'children', 'patients'] @entity4677 :: ('MESH:C026098', 'Chemical') :: ['levetiracetam', 'Levetiracetam'] @entity410 :: ('MESH:D012640', 'Disease') :: ['tonic-clonic seizures', 'seizures'] @entity20687 :: ('3478', 'Gene') :: ['IGEs'] @entity1246 :: ('MESH:D005680', 'Chemical') :: ['GABA'] @entity2228 :: ('CHEBI:57305', 'Chemical') :: ['glycine'] @entity146 :: ('MESH:D001523', 'Disease') :: ['behavioral abnormalities'] @entity2812 :: ('MESH:C047781', 'Chemical') :: ['lamotrigine'] @entity2045 :: ('MESH:D009207', 'Disease') :: ['myoclonus'] @entity1092 :: ('MESH:D014635', 'Chemical') :: ['valproate'] @entity1017 :: ('MESH:D015430', 'Disease') :: ['weight gain'] @entity109 :: ('MESH:D010634', 'Chemical') :: ['phenobarbital'] @entity4207 :: ('MESH:D007859', 'Disease') :: ['learning disability'] @entity460 :: ('MESH:D002118', 'Chemical') :: ['calcium'] @entity302 :: ('MESH:D004827', 'Disease') :: ['epilepsy'] @entity3762 :: ('MESH:C562694', 'Disease') :: ['IGE', 'idiopathic generalized epilepsies'] @entity1445 :: ('MESH:D062787', 'Disease') :: ['overdose'] @entity2475 :: ('MESH:D010889', 'Chemical') :: ['piracetam']
@entity3762 :: (MESH:C562694,Disease) :: ['idiopathic generalized epilepsies']
