Background: Levetiracetam, a relatively recent addition to antiepileptic medications, is known for its broad-spectrum efficacy in treating partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in individuals of all age groups. Despite its favourable tolerability profile, rare instances of psychiatric side effects have been reported. This case study presents a rare occurrence of significant behavioural changes attributed to levetiracetam in a young female patient.
Case history: A 40-year-old woman with a long-standing history of epilepsy, well-managed with medication, presented with abrupt-onset behavioural changes, including irritability, aggression, crying spells, insomnia, increased talkativeness, and screaming. Notably, these behavioural changes were unrelated to seizure activity and emerged without precedent. A dose reduction of levetiracetam was also attempted, which proved ineffective in mitigating her symptoms.
Conclusion: Consequently, the drug was discontinued, resulting in the resolution of the behavioural symptoms. This case highlights levetiracetam as the likely causative factor behind the observed significant behavioural changes.
Keywords: Levetiracetam; behavioural changes.; epilepsy.
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