Intrathecal administration of levetiracetam

Abstract

Methods of treatment, pharmaceutically acceptable solutions, and implantable devices are provided for the intrathecal treatment of AED-resistant seizures using levetiracetam.

1 - 63 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         64 ) A method of treating or preventing seizures in a human patient in need thereof comprising centrally administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable solution comprising levetiracetam or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the solution is administered continuously or intermittently via an implantable delivery device. 
     
     
         65 ) The method of  claim 64  wherein said seizures are resistant to treatment by systemically administered levetiracetam or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         66 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said seizures are resistant to treatment by two or more systemically administered anti-epileptic drugs. 
     
     
         67 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said levetiracetam is administered intrathecally, intra-spinally, intracerebroventricularly, or intracranially. 
     
     
         68 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said levetiracetam is administered via intrathecal intracranial administration. 
     
     
         69 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said levetiracetam is administered intrathecally through a catheter tip inserted in the cervical region of the spine from the C1 to the C3 vertebrae. 
     
     
         70 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein the solution is administered continuously or intermittently at a delivery rate of from 20 to 1000 mg levetiracetam per day. 
     
     
         71 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein the solution is administered continuously or intermittently at a delivery rate of from 2 to 500 mg levetiracetam per day. 
     
     
         72 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein the levetiracetam is administered at a concentration of from 2.5 to 60 mg/ml. 
     
     
         73 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said method is practiced as monotherapy. 
     
     
         74 ) The method of  claim 64 , wherein said method is practiced as add-on therapy to a pre-existing drug regimen comprising one or more systemically administered anti-epileptic drugs.