Levetiracetam appears safe for preventing seizures after severe traumatic brain injury in patients aged 80 and older, with low discontinuation rates reported.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects about 1.5 million Americans annually, leading to 230,000 hospitalizations. Adults over 65 face the highest rates of hospitalization and death from TBI. Early posttraumatic seizures occur within the first week in about 10.8% of patients.
A retrospective study of 91 patients aged 80 and older admitted with severe TBI found that those receiving levetiracetam had higher injury severity scores and higher three-month mortality-likely reflecting that the drug was prescribed to sicker patients. Only 5% stopped the drug due to side effects, and no seizures were reported at three-month follow-up.
Researchers caution that further studies are needed to confirm efficacy and long-term safety in this vulnerable group.