Factors influencing serum concentrations of levetiracetam in dogs with epilepsy

Abstract

Background: Factors affecting serum concentrations of levetiracetam in dogs are unknown and could affect the efficacy of levetiracetam in controlling seizures in dogs with epilepsy. Hypothesis/Objectives: Higher PO doses of levetiracetam will be needed in dogs to achieve serum concentrations shown to be effective in humans. Determine factors that could influence serum levetiracetam concentrations and justify dose adjustment in some epileptic dogs. Animals: Sixty-nine client-owned dogs with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam alone or in combination, based on 127 trough serum concentration measurements of levetiracetam. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Linear mixed models were used to assess the effect of patient signalment and concurrent drug administration on serum concentrations of levetiracetam and the effect of serum concentration of levetiracetam on seizure frequency reduction. Results: The PO dose of levetiracetam significantly explained changes in serum levetiracetam concentration, and this causal link was stronger with monotherapy (R2 = 0.59, P