Levetiracetam hormonal

Endocrine The effects of levetiracetam on reproductive hormone concentrations have been studied in eight men aged 29-75 years [212 ]. Mean total testosterone before starting levetiracetam was 4450 (range 2060-7870) ng/1, and 1 month after treatment it increased to 5920 (range 216-981) ng/1. The free testosterone concentration increased from a mean of 64 (range 36-115) ng/1 to a mean of 76 (range 35-155) ng/1. The increase in testosterone correlated with the initial testosterone concentration. 

Endocrine The effects of levetiracetam and valproic acid monotherapy on sex steroid hormone profiles in prepubertal children have been investigated in 30 subjects [325 ]. Ten took levetiracetam, 10 took valproate, and 10 were healthy controls. Those who took valproate had significantly higher androstenedione concentrations than those who took levetiracetam and controls. All other reproductive endocrine hormones were similar among the groups. 

A 44-year-old woman developed hypersexuality and increased frequency of masturbation while taking levetiracetam 2000 mg/day. These symptoms resolved after levetiracetam was tapered and discontinued [96 ]. Conversely, two young men, ages 22 and 30, were reported to experience loss of libido and anhedonia after starting levetiracetam 2000 mg/day and 3000 mg/day, respectively [97 ]. As levetiracetam has not been shown to affect hormone levels, it has been speculated that the sexual dysfunction described in association with this medication may be related to alterations in brain excitatory transmission due to xmbalancing of the dopamine/serotonin ratio [98 ]. 

Phabphal K, Geater A, limapichat K, Sathirapanya P, Setthawatcharawanich S, Leelawattana R. Effect of switching hepatic enzyme-inducer antiepileptic drug to levetiracetam on bone mineral density, 25 hydrox)rvitamin D, and parath)froid hormone in young adult patients with epilepsy. Epilepsia June 2013 54(6) e94-8. 

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