Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How extended release levetiracetam works in healthy dogs after one
By Beasley, M J & Boothe, D M·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2015·Department of Clinical Sciences·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Disposition of Extended Release Levetiracetam in Normal Healthy Dogs After Single Oral Dosing.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 16 healthy adult dogs were given an extended release form of levetiracetam, a medication used to control seizures, to see how well it worked when given with or without food. The study found that the medication stayed in the dogs' systems long enough to be effective, maintaining levels above what is needed for treatment for about 20 hours. This means that giving levetiracetam in this form can be convenient for pet owners, as it can be effective regardless of whether the dog has eaten.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant used for control of canine epilepsy. An extended release preparation should improve dosing convenience. OBJECTIVES: To determine the disposition of extended release levetiracetam in normal dogs after single dosing. ANIMALS: Pharmacokinetic study: 16 healthy, adult dogs. METHODS: Using a partially randomized crossover study, levetiracetam (30 mg/kg) was administered intravenously (i.v.) and orally (p.o.) as extended release preparation with or without food. Blood was collected for 24 hours (i.v.) or 36 hours (p.o.). Serum levetiracetam was quantitated by immunoassay and data were subjected to noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS: Pharmacokinetic parameters for fasted versus fed animals, respectively, were (mean ± SEM): Cmax = 26.6 ± 2.38 and 30.7 ± 2.88 μ/mL, Tmax = 204.3 ± 18.9 and 393.8 ± 36.6 minutes, t1/2 = 4.95 ± 0.55 and 4.48 ± 0.48 hours, MRT = 9.8 ± 0.72 and 10 ± 0.64 hours, MAT = 4.7 ± 0.38 and 5.6 ± 0.67 hours, and F = 1.04 ± 0.04 and 1.26 ± 0.07%. Significant differences were limited to Tmax (longer) and F (greater) in fed compared to fasted animals. Serum levetiracetam concentration remained above 5 μ/mL for approximately 20 hours in both fasted and fed animals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Extended release levetiracetam (30 mg/kg q12h), with or without food, should maintain concentrations above the recommended minimum human therapeutic concentration.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26290357/