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What is Levetiracetam
LevetiracetamThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryLevetiracetam is a medication used to treat seizures caused by epileptic disorders. It was approved in the US in 1999 and does not interact with other anti-epileptic drugs. It is a preferred choice due to its wide therapeutic index and low risk of interactions.
Kepprais the brand name
Levetiracetam 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 1 uses like Seizures .Seizures
Effectiveness
How Levetiracetam Affects PatientsLevetiracetam helps prevent seizures by blocking abnormal electrical activity in the brain without affecting normal activity, though it is not known exactly how it works. It is considered to be a relatively safe drug, but it can still increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Patients taking levetiracetam should be monitored for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, or any abnormal behaviour.
How Levetiracetam works in the bodyWe don't know exactly how levetiracetam works to stop seizures, but it likely involves its interaction with a protein called synaptic vesicle protein 2A. This protein helps release neurotransmitters in the brain, so levetiracetam's interaction with it might inhibit the release of these chemicals and reduce seizures. Levetiracetam has also been linked to changes in GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors, as well as calcium and ion channels. However, it is not yet clear if these changes contribute to the anti-epileptic effects of the drug.
When to interrupt dosage
The advocated dosage of Levetiracetam is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Epilepsies. The amount of dosage shifts in accordance with the method of administration (e.g. Tablet, for suspension or Intravascular) as featured in the following table.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Epilepsies
, 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
Juvenile myoclonic 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
Body weight >20kg
, 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
Idiopathic Generalized 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
inadequate response to conventional therapy
, 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
Levetiracetam has one contraindication, so it should not be consumed in combination with the conditions in the accompanying table.Levetiracetam ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Levetiracetam may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Levetiracetam 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.
Levetiracetam Toxicity & Overdose RiskLevetiracetam is toxic to humans at doses of 10 mg/kg or higher. Overdosing on levetiracetam may cause agitation, aggression, sleepiness, loss of consciousness, decreased breathing, or coma. There is no known cure for levetiracetam overdose, so the best course of action is to provide supportive care and treat symptoms as necessary. Hemodialysis can be used to remove about 50% of levetiracetam from the bloodstream within 4 hours.
Levetiracetam Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Levetiracetam?
Currently, 3 clinical trials are underway to assess the potential of Levetiracetam for the treatment of myoclonic seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
myoclonic seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
inadequate response to conventional therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
0 Actively Recruiting
Epilepsies
0 Actively Recruiting
Body weight >20kg
0 Actively Recruiting
Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Seizures
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Levetiracetam Reviews: What are patients saying about Levetiracetam?
5Patient Review
10/29/2016 My partner has been taking this medication and it's made them much more aggressive than usual. It's effective in keeping seizures at bay, but the negative mood swings are not worth it. We're currently looking into alternatives.
5Patient Review
3/28/2018 I was prescribed this following a Subdural Hematoma. After 10 months of usage, the side effects have been really tough to deal with (and my spouse has had to endure them too). My new neurologist says that KEPPRA is one of the most common drugs he knows of that leads to divorce. We are working hard to wean me off this drug.
5Patient Review
8/6/2015 I'm still getting seizures, even with this treatment. I've been to the ER for an overdose caused by my doctor giving me too high of a dose. He raised it back up when the seizures came back, and now I'm scared of having too many again and ending up back in the hospital. From what I've read, others have had better luck with Keppra than the generic version of this drug. Hopefully my insurance will cover it.
5Patient Review
11/4/2015 This treatment has been working well for me. I'm also taking other drugs for my seizures and this one is doing its job without any allergic reactions, which was a nightmare with Lamictal.
4.7Patient Review
1/10/2017 No seizures for many years. I'm not sure if it's because of this medication or not, but I would rather not experiment with that.
4.3Patient Review
5/6/2016 Depression. Difficulty sleeping more than 5 hours. Lack of energy.
4Patient Review
5/29/2015 I had a really tough time with this medication. It made my symptoms much worse and I was constantly sick and couldn't sleep. My doctor insisted I keep taking it for at least a month, but I just couldn't do it.
4Patient Review
9/6/2016 This treatment has been effective, but it has also made me very irritable. I have shown signs of depression and my appetite has decreased significantly. I hope to be able to reduce the dosage soon, as I don't want to take antidepressants.
4Patient Review
7/6/2016 This drug has turned my husband into a moody, aggressive person. Always on edge. It does prevent seizures but the behavior it causes is totally crazy!
3.7Patient Review
7/19/20142.7Patient Review
7/28/2015 This drug, in combination with phenytoin and two others, has managed to stop my partial seizures. No change in mood noted, although I have noticed some memory loss.
2.3Patient Review
8/23/2022 I have to take this medicine all the time and it's really interfered with my quality of life. I've gained weight, become irritable and depressed. I only eat because I'm hungry but I don't enjoy the taste of food anymore.
2Patient Review
3/2/20151.3Patient Review
9/5/2021 I went from being a happy, positive person to a moody, depressed person I don't even recognize. I had one seizure. In my opinion, this stuff is way too strong.
Patient Q&A Section about levetiracetam
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is a levetiracetam used for?
"uk
Levetiracetam is a medicine that is used to treat epilepsy. It works by helping to prevent seizures from happening."
Answered by AI
What does levetiracetam do to the brain?
"The medicine Keppra stabilizes electrical activity in the brain, which Treats epilepsy by affecting the brain's nerve cells."
Answered by AI
What kind of drug is levetiracetam?
"Levetiracetam is a drug used to treat seizures, which is a condition known as epilepsy. It is classified as an anticonvulsant drug, which is a type of medication used to prevent seizures."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of the drug levetiracetam?
"You may be experiencing some of the following symptoms: dizziness, headaches, irritability, loss of strength and energy, mood and behavior changes, and sleepiness."
Answered by AI