Hematological and Renal Effects of Levetiracetam Versus Lamotrigine in Children With Epilepsy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Alterations in hematological and renal parameters have been reported with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lamotrigine (LTG) and levetiracetam (LEV) on these parameters in children with epilepsy.

This randomized clinical trial included children with a first-time diagnosis of epilepsy referred to Bandar Abbas Children’s Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, from 2017 to 2018. Participants’ age, gender, and family history of epilepsy were recorded at the time of admission. Patients in the LTG group received 0.6 mg/kg of oral LTG in two divided doses for two weeks which continued with 1.2 mg/kg for another two weeks and then with a maintenance dose of 5-15 mg/kg daily. Patients in the LEV group received 10 mg/kg of oral LEV twice a day. When necessary, the dosage was increased to a maximum of 30 mg/kg twice a day. Treatment continued until seizures were controlled. Hematological and renal parameters were measured at baseline and 3 months after treatment. The total duration of treatment with each drug was noted as well.

Of the 66 children evaluated in this study with a mean age of 8.51±2.11 years, 31 (47%) were males. Age, gender, family history of epilepsy, treatment duration, and baseline hematological and renal parameters did not differ between the LTG (n=26) and LEV (n=40) groups. Patients in both groups were comparable regarding all the parameters after treatment. Finally, no significant change was observed after treatment compared to baseline in either group.

Overall, LTG and LEV appear to have no significant effect on the hematological and renal parameters of children with epilepsy.