Considerations for the Safe Use of Levetiracetam, Generic
Type of the Antiepileptic Drug
Tiamkao S, MD1,2, Tiamkao S, MD3
Affiliation :
1 Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
2 Integrated Epilepsy Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
3 Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) treatment is a treatment that most patients receive due to its effective results. In addition,
most patients are comfortable with AEDs treatments. Today, there are a variety of AEDs available. Levetiracetam (LEV), which is one
of new generation of AEDs (new AEDs) being widely used today, is based on the following: good pharmacological properties, good
performance, a relatively low number of side-effects when compared to other AEDs, and low levels of drug interaction with other
drugs or with food. It can also be used to treat epileptic patients with comorbidity diseases, as well as the elderly and pregnant
women. Although LEV is well-recognized as a good medicine and has been included in the Thai national essential drug list, there are
restrictions on the accessibility of this AED. This is especially true given that the price of the drug is higher than many other types
of AEDs. This factor makes it impossible for most patients, who basically rely on the right to the universal health care coverage (gold
card) treatment, to gain access to this type of AED. The principles for consideration surrounding the use of AEDs are as follows:
1) Indications of drug use and evidence of studies carried out on the effectiveness of the drug.
2) Patient factors, such as age, occupation, underlying diseases, regular medications, the patients’ needs, and the patients’
treatment rights.
3) Drug types, including pharmacological properties, histories of drug allergies, drug interactions, and drug accessibility.
4) The worthiness and effectiveness of the drug.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of England has divided AEDs into the following 3
groups. AEDs are safe to change from the original to generic drugs in case that the AEDs are in Group 3 as follows: levetiracetam,
lacosamide, gabapentin, pregabalin, and vigabatrin.
Keywords : Antiepileptic drug, Levetiracetam, Generic drugs
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