UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Trauma

Title: High or low dose levetiracetam for moderate/severe head injury?

Keywords: seizure, head trauma, levetiracetam (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/6/2024 by Robert Flint, MD (Emailed: 9/19/2024) (Updated: 9/19/2024)
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The use of seizure prophylaxes in moderate to severe head injury has been recommended for 7 days post-injury. In general, levetiracetam is used for seizure prophylaxes in this group of patients. This study looked retrospectively at high (over 500 mg BID) vs. low (500 mg bid) dosing and found there was no difference in seizure events in either group.  Overall 6% of patients had a seizure in this seven day window even with medication given.

References

Mann A, Livers K, Frick CD, et al. Evaluation of levetiracetam dosing  for seizure prophylaxis in traumatic  brain injury. Trauma. 2024;0(0). doi:10.1177/14604086241230598