Acute pancreatitis and elevated liver transaminases after rapid titration of oral levetiracetam

Abstract

We report a 25-year-old woman with new onset convulsive episodes. The patient initially failed to respond to phenytoin and was switched to levetiracetam (LEV) which was rapidly titrated to 3000mg daily over 1week. At initiation of LEV therapy, she developed mild nausea and decrease in appetite. This was rapidly followed by severe digestive symptoms consistent with acute pancreatitis. She was also found to have elevated liver transaminases. An extensive work-up failed to reveal an organic cause for her symptoms, suggesting a direct relationship to LEV. Clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities normalized after LEV discontinuation, along with supportive therapy.