• Michelle Brogan Carnes, Todd W Axlund, and Dawn M Boothe.
• Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida, 10130 Market St, Ste 1, Naples, FL 34112, USA. mcarnes@ashfl.com
• Am. J. Vet. Res. 2011 Sep 1; 72 (9): 1247-52.

ObjectiveTo determine whether therapeutic concentrations of levetiracetam can be achieved in cats and to establish reasonable i.v. and oral dosing intervals that would not be associated with adverse effects in cats.Animals10 healthy purpose-bred cats.ProceduresIn a randomized crossover study, levetiracetam (20 mg/kg) was administered orally and i.v. to each cat. Blood samples were collected 0, 10, 20, and 40 minutes and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours after administration. Plasma levetiracetam concentrations were determined via high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsMean ± SD peak concentration was 25.54 ± 7.97 μg/mL. The mean y-intercept for i.v. administration was 37.52 ± 6.79 μg/mL. Half-life (harmonic mean ± pseudo-SD) was 2.95 ± 0.95 hours and 2.86 ± 0.65 hours for oral and i.v. administration, respectively. Mean volume of distribution at steady state was 0.52 ± 0.09 L/kg, and mean clearance was 2.0 ± 0.60 mL/kg/min. Mean oral bioavailability was 102 ± 39%. Plasma drug concentrations were maintained in the therapeutic range reported for humans (5 to 45 μg/mL) for at least 9 hours after administration in 7 of 10 cats. Only mild, transient hypersalivation was evident in some cats after oral administration.Conclusions And Clinical RelevanceLevetiracetam (20 mg/kg) administered orally or i.v. to cats every 8 hours should achieve and maintain concentrations within the therapeutic range for humans. Levetiracetam administration has favorable pharmacokinetics for clinical use, was apparently tolerated well, and may be a reasonable alternative antiepileptic drug in cats.

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