Key facts about Levetiracetam
What dosages is Levetiracetam available in?
Levetiracetam is available as a 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1000 mg film-coated tablet and a 100 mg/ml oral solution.
What is Levetiracetam used for?
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic that is used to treat partial-onset seizures or as an add-on treatment for myoclonic seizures from juvenile myoclonic epilepsy or generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
How does Levetiracetam work?
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic (another name for anti-seizure medication). It’s not entirely clear how this medication works. It’s thought to work by stopping neurons in the brain from releasing certain chemicals. This helps calm your brain activity and prevent seizures from happening.
How do I take Levetiracetam?
Levetiracetam is typically given in dose ranges from 500 mg to 1,500 mg by mouth twice a day in people 16 years of age and older. People under 16 years of age will have their dose determined by their physician based on their weight.
Is it safe for me to take Levetiracetam?
Levetiracetam is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.
Levetiracetam Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Levetiracetam include:
- Weakness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Infection
- Dizziness
- Common cold symptoms
- Vomiting
- Stuffy nose
- Lowered appetite
Levetiracetam Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Levetiracetam. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Severe mood changes
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
- Allergic reaction: low blood pressure, hives, severe rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or mouth
- Serious skin reaction: painful blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling; with or without sore throat, fever, fatigue, or rash
- Low blood cell counts: severe weakness, fever, get sick more often, bleed or bruise more easily
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Levetiracetam
The following medications may interact with Levetiracetam:
- There are no major drug interactions listed for Levetiracetam. However, always let your physician and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking
Who makes Levetiracetam?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is Levetiracetam safe in pregnancy?
Levetiracetam may be one of the “safer” medications available if you’re pregnant and have a seizure condition, since it might not have as high of a risk of causing birth defects compared to other seizure medications. However, there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antiepileptic drugs(AEDs), including Levetiracetam, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking Levetiracetam during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) pregnancy registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting AED pregnancy registry
