In well controlled clinical studies in adults with partial onset seizures, the most frequently reported adverse events associated with the use of levetiracetam in combination with other AEDs, not seen at an equivalent frequency among placebo-treated patients, were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness. In the well controlled pediatric clinical study in children 4 to 16 years of age with partial onset seizures, the adverse events most frequently reported with the use of levetiracetam in combination with other AEDs, not seen at an equivalent frequency among placebo-treated patients, were somnolence, accidental injury, hostility, nervousness and asthenia.
Table 6 lists treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in at least 1% of adult epilepsy patients treated with levetiracetam participating in placebo-controlled studies and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. Table 7 lists treatment-emergent adverse events that occurred in at least 2% of pediatric epilepsy patients (ages 4 to 16 years) treated with levetiracetam participating in the placebo-controlled study and were numerically more common than in pediatric patients treated with placebo. In these studies, either levetiracetam or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Adverse events were usually mild to moderate in intensity.
Table 6: Incidence (%) of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled, Add-On Studies in Adults Experiencing Partial Onset Seizures by Body System (Adverse Events Occurred in at Least 1% of Levetiracetam-Treated Patients and Occurred More Frequently than Placebo-Treated Patients)Body System/ Adverse Event | Levetiracetam (N = 769) % | Placebo (N = 439) % |
| Body as a Whole | | |
| Asthenia | 15 | 9 |
| Headache | 14 | 13 |
| Infection | 13 | 8 |
| Pain | 7 | 6 |
| Digestive System | | |
| Anorexia | 3 | 2 |
| Nervous System | | |
| Somnolence | 15 | 8 |
| Dizziness | 9 | 4 |
| Depression | 4 | 2 |
| Nervousness | 4 | 2 |
| Ataxia | 3 | 1 |
| Vertigo | 3 | 1 |
| Amnesia | 2 | 1 |
| Anxiety | 2 | 1 |
| Hostility | 2 | 1 |
| Paresthesia | 2 | 1 |
| Emotional Lability | 2 | 0 |
| Respiratory System | | |
| Pharyngitis | 6 | 4 |
| Rhinitis | 4 | 3 |
| Cough Increased | 2 | 1 |
| Sinusitis | 2 | 1 |
| Special Senses | | |
| Diplopia | 2 | 1 |
Other events reported by at least 1% of adult levetiracetam-treated patients but as or more frequent in the placebo group were the following: abdominal pain, accidental injury, amblyopia, arthralgia, back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, confusion, constipation, convulsion, diarrhea, drug level increased, dyspepsia, ecchymosis, fever, flu syndrome, fungal infection, gastroenteritis, gingivitis, grand mal convulsion, insomnia, nausea, otitis media, rash, thinking abnormal, tremor, urinary tract infection, vomiting and weight gain.
Table 7: Incidence (%) of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events in a Placebo-Controlled, Add-On Study in Pediatric Patients Ages 4 to 16 Years Experiencing Partial Onset Seizures by Body System (Adverse Events Occurred in at Least 2% of Levetiracetam-Treated Patients and Occurred More Frequently than Placebo-Treated Patients)Body System/ Adverse Event
| Levetiracetam (N = 101) % | Placebo (N = 97) % |
| Body as a Whole | | |
| Accidental Injury | 17 | 10 |
| Asthenia | 9 | 3 |
| Pain | 6 | 3 |
| Flu Syndrome | 3 | 2 |
| Face Edema | 2 | 1 |
| Neck Pain | 2 | 1 |
| Viral Infection | 2 | 1 |
| Digestive System | | |
| Vomiting | 15 | 13 |
| Anorexia | 13 | 8 |
| Diarrhea | 8 | 7 |
| Gastroenteritis | 4 | 2 |
| Constipation | 3 | 1 |
| Hemic and Lymphatic System | | |
| Ecchymosis | 4 | 1 |
| Metabolic and Nutritional | | |
| Dehydration | 2 | 1 |
| Nervous System | | |
| Somnolence | 23 | 11 |
| Hostility | 12 | 6 |
| Nervousness | 10 | 2 |
| Personality Disorder | 8 | 7 |
| Dizziness | 7 | 2 |
| Emotional Lability | 6 | 4 |
| Agitation | 6 | 1 |
| Depression | 3 | 1 |
| Vertigo | 3 | 1 |
| Reflexes Increased | 2 | 1 |
| Confusion | 2 | 0 |
| Respiratory System | | |
| Rhinitis | 13 | 8 |
| Cough Increased | 11 | 7 |
| Pharyngitis | 10 | 8 |
| Asthma | 2 | 1 |
| Skin and Appendages | | |
| Pruritis | 2 | 0 |
| Skin Discoloration | 2 | 0 |
| Vesiculobullous Rash | 2 | 0 |
| Special Senses | | |
| Conjunctivitis | 3 | 2 |
| Amblyopia | 2 | 0 |
| Ear Pain | 2 | 0 |
| Urogenital System | | |
| Albuminuria | 4 | 0 |
| Urine Abnormality | 2 | 1 |
Other events occurring in at least 2% of pediatric levetiracetam-treated patients but as or more frequent in the placebo group were the following: abdominal pain, allergic reaction, ataxia, convulsion, epistaxis, fever, headache, hyperkinesia, infection, insomnia, nausea, otitis media, rash, sinusitis, status epilepticus (not otherwise specified), thinking abnormal, tremor, and urinary incontinence.
In well controlled adult clinical studies, 15% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 11.6% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse event. Table 8 lists the most common (>1%) adverse events that resulted in discontinuation or dose reduction.
Table 8: Adverse Events That Most Commonly Resulted in Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in Placebo-Controlled Studies in Adult Patients Experiencing Partial Onset Seizures | Number (%) |
| Levetiracetam (N = 769) | Placebo (N = 439) |
| Asthenia | 10 (1.3%) | 3 (0.7%) |
| Convulsion | 23 (3%) | 15 (3.4%) |
| Dizziness | 11 (1.4%) | 0 |
| Rash | 0 | 5 (1.1%) |
| Somnolence | 34 (4.4%) | 7 (1.6%) |
In the well controlled pediatric clinical study, 16.8% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 20.6% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse event. The adverse events most commonly associated (≥3% in patients receiving levetiracetam) with discontinuation or dose reduction in the well controlled study are presented in Table 9.
Table 9: Adverse Events Most Commonly Associated with Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in the Placebo-Controlled Study in Pediatric Patients Ages 4 to 16 Years Experiencing Partial Onset Seizures | Number (%) |
| Levetiracetam (N = 101) | Placebo (N = 97) |
| Asthenia | 3 (3%) | 0 |
| Hostility | 7 (6.9%) | 2 (2.1%) |
| Somnolence | 3 (3%) | 3 (3.1%) |