A systematic review of the effect of continuous renal replacement
therapy on levetiracetam pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients. Do
recommended doses achieve therapeutic drug concentrations?
Abstract
AIM Levetiracetam is a widely used anti-epileptic in the critical care
setting that is almost exclusively (>90%) renally
excreted. A significant number of critically unwell patients develop
renal failure requiring haemofiltration. This paper investigates the
pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam in such patients and the implications
on dosing strategies. METHODS A systematic review of the available
literature from 2000 was conducted. 7 articles were identified for
inclusion from 54 records. A novel hybrid model was used to evaluate the
quality of pharmacokinetic and haemofiltration data. Simulations were
performed using pooled pharmacokinetic data to evaluate various dosing
strategies. RESULTS Total clearance was 3.49 – 4.63L/hr (mean 3.55,
S.D. 0.52). Elimination half-life was 5.66 – 12.88 hours (mean 9.41,
S.D. 2.86). Volume of distribution was 0.45 – 0.73 L/kg. Levetiracetam
clearance from CRRT was 52 – 73% (mean 54.7%, S.D. 13.5). At 72
hours, a significant proportion of simulated patients who received the
recommended dose of levetiracetam demonstrated sub-therapeutic drug
concentrations. Conversely, the majority who received a standard loading
dose (60mg/kg) and twice daily doses in excess of 750mg demonstrated
more consistent therapeutic drug concentrations. CONCLUSION
Levetiracetam clearance in haemofiltration is similar to healthy adults
with normal renal function. The current recommendation to dose as in CKD
Stage 3b is likely to result in sub-therapeutic drug concentrations in a
high number of patients. A twice daily dosing of 500 – 1,000 mg with an
initial loading dose of 60mg/kg should be considered in such patients
alongside therapeutic drug monitoring.