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Evidence · Randomised trial

Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for second-line treatment of paediatric convulsive status epilepticus (EcLiPSE): a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

Randomised trialLancet (NIHR HTA-funded EcLiPSE trial)2019Over 5 years oldFull text
  • Medical
  • Neurology
  • Nursing
  • Status epilepticus

This paper is from 2019, more than five years ago. Newer evidence may have been published since.

Summary

EcLiPSE was a UK multicentre, open-label randomised trial comparing intravenous levetiracetam with phenytoin as second-line treatment for paediatric convulsive status epilepticus in children aged 6 months to under 18 years presenting to emergency departments. The primary outcome was time from randomisation to cessation of convulsive status epilepticus, with 286 treated participants analysed. Levetiracetam was not statistically superior to phenytoin, but seizure cessation was achieved in a similar or slightly greater proportion of children and serious adverse reactions were rare. The authors conclude levetiracetam may be an appropriate alternative second-line agent, partly because of its easier administration.

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