Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Levetiracetam Injection for Terminally-ill Cancer Patients: A Case Report

Yoshihiro Yamamoto; Hiroaki Watanabe; Aina Sakurai; Ayako Kondo; Yasuyuki Asai; Rika Kihara; Takuya Odagiri

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Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Levetiracetam Injection for Terminally-ill Cancer Patients: A Case Report

VernacularTitle:終末期がん患者へのレベチラセタム皮下注射の有効性・安全性の検証─3症例の報告─
Author: Yoshihiro YAMAMOTO ¹ ; Hiroaki WATANABE ² ; Aina SAKURAI ³ ; Ayako KONDO ¹ ; Yasuyuki ASAI ¹ ; Rika KIHARA ² ; Takuya ODAGIRI ³
Author Information

1. Departments of Pharmacy, Komaki City Hospital
2. Departments of Palliative Care, Komaki City Hospital
3. Home Palliative Care Asunaro Clinic
Keywords: levetiracetam; subcutaneous injection; antiepileptic drug; palliative care; terminal cancer patient
From:Palliative Care Research 2020;16(1):55-58
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Introduction: Antiepileptic drugs were occasionally administered to manage seizures in terminally-ill cancer patients. When enteral route is no longer feasible due to dysphagia or depressed level of consciousness, subcutaneous route could be an option. We reported three cases of terminally cancer patients who received subcutaneous levetiracetam (LEV) due to an inability to administer via intravenous route. Cases: The age of 3 cases was 83, 75, 82 years, respectively. In all cases, the prognosis prediction at the start of subcutaneous LEV was about 1 month. In all cases, the route of administration of LEV was changed from intravenous to subcutaneous. No exacerbation of convulsions, or injection site reaction was confirmed after subcutaneous LEV administration. Discussion: We believe that subcutaneous LEV administration may be one of the treatment options for seizures in patients with terminal cancer for whom intravenous administration of LEV is no longer feasible.