New Keppra XR(TM) Data Highlight Its Role for Patients with Partial-Onse...( Studies Presented at American Epileps...),Health

Studies Presented at American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting

ATLANTA, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- UCB today announced findings from new studies of the once-daily antiepileptic drug (AED) Keppra XR(TM) (levetiracetam) extended-release tablets comparing tolerability versus levetiracetam immediate release (IR) and reporting on additional dosing schedules. The data were among five studies that were presented at the 62nd annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) in Seattle.

Keppra XR was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 2008 for use as adjunctive treatment for people with partial-onset seizures who are 16 years of age and older.

"In this new meta-analysis, patients taking Keppra XR experienced fewer nervous system side effects than those taking the same dose of twice daily levetiracetam," said James Zackheim, Medical Director, CNS, UCB. "Keppra XR is the only once-daily, extended-release formulation of levetiracetam, and there is no generic alternative available."

Summary of Keppra XR Data Presented at 2008 AES Annual Meeting

Safety Profile of Levetiracetam Extended Release Compared to Immediate Release: An Indirect Comparison Using a Meta-Analytic Approach

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of Phase III data to determine whether Keppra XR is associated with any tolerability advantages versus the same daily dose of levetiracetam IR. According to the meta-analysis, patients taking Keppra XR once-daily had lower rates of some adverse events versus levetiracetam IR twice-daily.

-- In terms of overall tolerability, 52.8% of Keppra XR patients reported any adverse event, compared with 79% of patients taking levetiracetam IR.

-- While adverse events associated with levetiracetam IR were also observed with Keppra XR, patients treated with Keppra XR once
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