International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-78021032019031820087802ENDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanIsfahan Center of Health Research, National Institute of Health Research, IsfahanDepartment of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20190318<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may lead to an increase in the plasma concentration of homocysteine. There is limited information, especially from Iran, regarding the risk in patients who are treated with levetiracetam as a new type of AED. The aim of the present study was to investigate<br />the effect of levetiracetam on plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in adult patients with epilepsy. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">We conducted a case‑control study and enrolled adult patients with epilepsy who had received monotherapy with levetiracetam for at least 6 months at some time prior to the study. homocysteine serum, vitamin B12, and folate were measured, and folate and vitamin B12 intake was determined by the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>:<span class="fontstyle0">Thirty‑three patients on levetiracetam and 35 control subjects aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled. No statistically signifcant differences in the means of the serum markers of vitamin B12, FA, and homocysteine levels were found between the two groups. In the frst model, i.e., the crude model, no signifcant differences were observed in the serum concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate. In the second model, education was considered, and body mass index and folate intake was controlled with no signifcant difference being observed in the mean homocysteine serum level.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle2"><strong>Conclusions</strong>:<span class="fontstyle0">Treatment with levetiracetam in patients with epilepsy has no effect on the serum levels concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate. This medication is suggested for patients who use AEDs on a long‑term basis and at high dosages.<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><span class="fontstyle2"><span class="fontstyle2"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Folic acid, levetiracetam, monotherapy, patients with epilepsy, vitamin B12</span> </span> </span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2020http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2020/717717840