Data presented for the first time today by Elinor Ben-Menachem MD PhD, Professor at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, show that KEPPRA was safe and well-tolerated when used for long-term treatment up to 7 .13 years (mean exposure was approximately 3 years). The data also showed that the anti-epileptic effect of KEPPRA was sustained over the duration of the study. KEPPRA showed a high retention rate of 54.3% (an estimation of efficacy and safety). The incidence of adverse events reported in this trial is very similar to the incidence described in previous studies, confirming the safety and tolerability profile for KEPPRA.
Commenting on the data, Professor Ben-Menachem said, "Our study shows that long-term treatment with KEPPRA gives sustained antiepileptic effect, with a high retention rate and an adverse event profile similar to that seen in the randomised controlled previous trials. This is good news for physicians, who can confidently choose KEPPRA to treat their patients, without compromising their quality of life with increased risk of adverse events."
Commenting of the findings of the study, Professor Jos Serratosa, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the 5th European Congress on Epileptology said, "The balance between efficacy and low incidence of adverse events is a difficult one to achieve in the treatment of epilepsy. Also, during 150,000 patient-years exposure, no serious safety issues have emerged with levetiracetam. These new and other data show that levet
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Contact: Vanessa Leon
vanessa.leon@ketchum.com
44-207-611-3596
Ketchum
8-Oct-2002