Keppra
Generic Name: levetiracetam
Brand Name: Keppra
Indications
Keppra is indicated for treatment of partial onset seizures in people with epilepsy. It is also used to treat myoclonic seizures and tonic-clonic seizures.
Dosage and Administration
Keppra is available for oral administration as 250mg, 500mg, 750mg and 1000mg tablets and 100mg/ml oral solution.
Normal Dosage:
- Take exactly as directed by your doctor
- Take the oral tablets with a full glass of water.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
For epilepsy:
- Adults—16 years of age and older: At first, 500 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase the dose gradually if needed.
- Children—4 to 16 years of age: 20 mg per kg of body weight in 2 divided doses, the dose should be increased by 20 mg per kg every 2 weeks until 60 mg per kg is reached.
Overdose: Symptoms of an overdose are unknown but might include drowsiness.
Drug Description
The chemical name of levetiracetam, a single enantiomer, is (-)-(S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, its molecular formula is C8H14N2O2 and its molecular weight is 170.21. Levetiracetam is chemically unrelated to existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It has the following structural formula:
Levetiracetam is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a faint odor and a bitter taste. It is very soluble in water (104.0 g/100 mL). It is freely soluble in chloroform (65.3 g/100 mL) and in methanol (53.6 g/100 mL), soluble in ethanol (16.5 g/100 mL), sparingly soluble in acetonitrile (5.7 g/100 mL) and practically insoluble in n-hexane. (Solubility limits are expressed as g/100 mL solvent.)
Side Effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 people).
- Sleepiness.
- Feeling weak or fatigued.
Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)
- Dizziness or loss of balance.
- Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia).
- Headache.
- Problems with attention or memory.
- Hyperactivity.
- Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor).
- Depression.
- Unstable moods (emotional lability).
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
- Nervousness, agitation.
- Hostility, irritability, aggression.
- Personality disorders.
- Gut disturbances such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion.
- Loss of appetite.
- Double or blurred vision.
- Rash or itching.
Unknown frequency
- Disturbances in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood.
- Inflammation of the liver or pancreas.
- Hair loss.
- Pins and needles sensations.
Precautions
- Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Keppra and may also increase the risk of seizures. Keppra can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
- Do not use this medication if you are allergic to levetiracetam.
- Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Drug Interactions
- May increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if this medication is taken with any of these medicines.
- Drugs other than those mentioned here may also interact. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, and medicines prescribed by other doctors.
