European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON SIDE-EFFECT PROFILE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LEVETIRACETAM Vs SODIUM VALPROATE IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

Mathew George*, Lincy Joseph, Anu Lukose, Benita Abraham, Fionna Pulluvattathil and Nimisha Maria Mathew

ABSTRACT

Background: Since the usage of Levetiracetam is very common nowadays, comparative study of side effect profile and effectiveness of Levetiracetam versus sodium valproate was expected to give more confidence for the use of drugs. The study was aimed to analyse which drug has the lesser side effect profile so as to be prescribed to patients to achieve a positive clinical outcome. Objectives: This study attempts to compare side effect profile, effectiveness, quality of life, and medication adherence between Levetiracetam and sodium valproate in different types of epileptic patients. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational 6 months study was conducted after IEC approval in 120 newly diagnosed epileptic patients having generalised and partial types of epilepsy taken in two groups. Results: It was seen that Levetiracetam was more prescribed to the adult patients while Sodium Valproate was prescribed more to the paediatric patients. From first month to second month NHS3 score, the seizure severity had decreased in case of general type of epilepsy and partial epilepsy, but in case of drug administered, both drug had similar effect in seizure severity. Levetiracetam has less side effects compared to Sodium Valproate in case of general epilepsy. In partial epilepsy, both drugs had similar increase in side effect. The patients showed more adherence to Sodium Valproate when compared with Levetiracetam according to Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale. Levetiracetam contributed more for the quality of life compared to Sodium Valproate in general, partial and combined type of epilepsy according to QOLIE-31 Scale. Conclusion: Levetiracetam is the drug which exhibited lesser adverse effects than sodium valproate, whereas both drugs have equal effectiveness. Levetiracetam group exhibited better quality of life than sodium valproate group. Out of total patients both drug groups have a moderate adherence. It was seen that male population exhibited more development of epilepsy in this study. Thus, according to this study, it can be concluded that both drugs were equally effective in our study population.

Keywords: Anti-epileptic drug, Levetiracetam, Sodium Valproate, National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety And Depression Scale, Quality Of Life In Epilepsy.