In the July 3, 2014,
on-line edition of the journal
Epilepsia, researchers at the University
of Melbourne showed that
levetiracetam (Keppra®), a second generation
antiepileptic drug (AED), appears as efficacious as first generation AEDs in controlling
seizure occurrences among pregnant women. The researchers reported that
levetiracetam
was also associated with greater seizure control than second generation AEDs
such as
lamotrigine (Lamictal®) and
topiramate (Topamax®) (
The
efficacy of the newer antiepileptic drugs in controlling seizures in pregnancy).
Using a national registry, the researchers analyzed seizure
control data from over 1,000 pregnancies between the middle of 1998 and November, 2013. Patients took only one AED for at least the first trimester. The data
showed that seizure occurrence rates for patients who took only levetiracetam
were 31.7% for any seizure and 13.4% for
convulsive seizures, which were comparable to rates of first generation AEDs,
such as carbamazepine and valproate (34.8% for any seizure and 13.4% for
convulsive seizures). Seizure occurrence rates for patients administered second
generation AEDs such as lamotrigine and topiramate were found to be higher (50%
for any seizure and 30% for convulsive seizures) than patients on levetiracetam
monotherapy.
This finding, according to the authors, supports the use of levetiracetam as a first choice therapeutic in women with seizure disorder who have the potential for pregnancy or who are pregnant. The authors
noted some limitations with the study, including the inability to guarantee that
drugs were taken as prescribed and that the allocation of particular AEDs was
not randomized.
Cerilliant offers certified reference standards of
levetiracetam, topiramate, and lamotrigine as well as their native and
stable-labeled internal standards. In addition, Cerilliant provides a wide
selection of first and second generation antiepileptics including native and
stable-labeled internal standards of pregabalin, lacosamide, gabapentin, zonisamide,
valproic acid, felbamate, carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine. These reference solutions are manufactured and certified to the highest industry standards including ISO 13485, ISO Guide 34, and ISO/IEC 17025 and are classified as "certified reference materials" in accordance with ISO requirements. Click on the link below to view our comprehensive listing of reference solutions for first and second generation antiepileptics: