Keppra Xr

Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile, myoclonic seizures, Seizures + 4 more
Treatment
2 FDA approvals
4 Active Studies for Keppra Xr

What is Keppra Xr

LevetiracetamThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLevetiracetam is a medication used to treat various types of seizures caused by epileptic disorders. It was approved for use in the US in 1999 and is different from other anti-epileptic drugs. Levetiracetam has a wide therapeutic index and does not interact with other drugs, making it a desirable choice over other anti-epileptic drugs.
Kepprais the brand name
Keppra Xr Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Keppra
Levetiracetam
2000
604

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Levetiracetam, otherwise known as Keppra, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses like Partial-Onset Seizures and Seizures .
Partial-Onset Seizures
Seizures

Effectiveness

How Keppra Xr Affects PatientsLevetiracetam works to prevent seizures, although the exact way it does this is unknown. Its effectiveness is high compared to other anti-seizure medications. Taking levetiracetam can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour, so patients should be monitored for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, and changes in behaviour.
How Keppra Xr works in the bodyLevetiracetam works in a unique way compared to other anti-epileptic drugs. It binds to a protein called synaptic vesicle protein 2A, which is found on cells in the brain and helps control how neurotransmitters are released. By binding to this protein, levetiracetam can reduce the amount of neurotransmitters released. This helps prevent the over-firing of neurons that can lead to seizures. Levetiracetam also has indirect effects on GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors, as well as ionic currents and calcium channels, although it's unclear yet how these effects contribute

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed measure of Keppra Xr is contingent upon the recognized malady, for example Seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Epilepsies. The dosage also relies upon the methodology of delivery (e.g. Tablet, for suspension or Intravascular) provided in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Disease
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
myoclonic seizures
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
Seizures
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
Epilepsy
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
Epilepsy, Generalized
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
Obesity
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol
Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile
, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Intravenous, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Solution - Intravenous, Injection - Intravascular, Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Aerosol

Warnings

Keppra Xr Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Levetiracetam may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Keppra Xr.
Common Keppra Xr Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Azelastine
Major
Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Ethanol
Major
Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.
Oliceridine
Major
The risk or severity of hypotension, sedation, death, somnolence, and respiratory depression can be increased when Levetiracetam is combined with Oliceridine.
Thalidomide
Major
Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.
Daridorexant
Minor
The risk or severity of CNS depression can be increased when Levetiracetam is combined with Daridorexant.
Keppra Xr Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe lowest toxic dose of levetiracetam in humans is 10 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, aggression, sleepiness, reduced consciousness, difficulty breathing, or a coma. There is no specific antidote for levetiracetam overdose, so treatment should focus on providing general support and managing symptoms. Hemodialysis can be used to reduce the amount of levetiracetam in the bloodstream by about 50% in 4 hours.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Keppra Xr Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Keppra Xr?

Three active clinical trials are presently exploring the potential of Keppra Xr in ameliorating myoclonic seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Epilepsy
0 Actively Recruiting
Seizures
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 2
Epilepsy, Generalized
0 Actively Recruiting
myoclonic seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile
0 Actively Recruiting
Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Obesity
0 Actively Recruiting

Keppra Xr Reviews: What are patients saying about Keppra Xr?

5Patient Review
5/11/2013
Keppra Xr for Additional Medication for Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy
This medicine completely stopped my seizures. I only experienced some emotional side effects, which were manageable. So overall, this was a great experience and I'm glad to have found something that works for me.
5Patient Review
9/14/2019
Keppra Xr for Simple Partial Seizures
This treatment has been working great for me, but lately I've been having trouble getting the medication. I'm told that it's out of stock and that the company has run out. This is frustrating, as this is a drug that actually works. I hope someone can find out what's going on.
5Patient Review
2/3/2012
Keppra Xr for Convulsive Seizures
I've been doing great on this medication.
5Patient Review
6/27/2014
Keppra Xr for Convulsive Seizures
I appreciate that my doctor started me on a low dosage and gradually increased it as needed. I've only had one seizure since starting this treatment, which was due to missing a dose. The side effects are manageable for me, as the alternative of having seizures is much worse.
5Patient Review
12/8/2011
Keppra Xr for Convulsive Seizures
I take keppra 500mg twice a day. I had a tumor removed six months ago and wonder when I can start to wean myself off this medication.
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about keppra xr

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is Keppra XR used for?

"Keppra XR is an anti-seizure medication used to treat partial onset seizures in adults and children aged 4 and up, tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children aged 6 and up, and myoclonic seizures in adults and children."

Answered by AI

What is the difference between Keppra and Keppra XR?

"Keppra XR is the extended-release form of the same medication. The extended-release formulation allows the medicine to be released over a longer period of time. Most people require Keppra to be taken two or more times daily."

Answered by AI

How long does Keppra XR last?

"It takes about 44 hours for Keppra to be eliminated from your system."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of Keppra XR?

"Side effects of Keppra XR may include infection, drowsiness, agitation, anxiety, depression, hostility, and irritability."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Keppra Xr