Generic Name: levetiracetam (LEE ve tye RA se tam)
Brand Names: Keppra, Keppra XR
What is levetiracetam?
Levetiracetam is an anti-epileptic drug.
Levetiracetam is used to treat partial onset seizures in adults and children who are at least 4 years old.
Levetiracetam is also used to treat tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children who are at least 6 years old, and myoclonic seizures in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Levetiracetam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about levetiracetam?
Do not stop taking levetiracetam without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. If you stop taking levetiracetam suddenly, you may have increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening seizures.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking levetiracetam, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking levetiracetam. Levetiracetam 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levetiracetam?
You should 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.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether levetiracetam is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take levetiracetam?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take the medication with a full glass of water. You may take levetiracetam with or without food.
Measure the liquid form of levetiracetam with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Do not crush, chew, or break a levetiracetam tablet. Swallow the pill whole.
Levetiracetam can be taken with or without food.
It is important to use levetiracetam regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop taking levetiracetam without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. If you stop taking levetiracetam suddenly, you may have increased seizures. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening seizures.
Seizures are often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking levetiracetam, in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking levetiracetam.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Store levetiracetam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
See also: Levetiracetam dosage (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you have missed your dose by only a few hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, agitation, aggression, shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking levetiracetam?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of levetiracetam and may also increase the risk of seizures. Levetiracetam 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.
Levetiracetam side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
hallucinations;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
weakness, lack of coordination;
increasing or worsening seizures; or
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
dizziness, spinning sensation;
drowsiness;
feeling irritable;
headache;
runny nose, sore throat; or
neck pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Levetiracetam Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:
16 years of age and older:
Initial Dose: 1000 mg daily by either immediate release oral or intravenous administration, given as 500 mg twice daily. Additional dosing increments may be given (1000 mg/day additional every 2 weeks) to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. There is no evidence that doses greater than 3000 mg/day confer additional benefit.
Extended release:
Initial dose: 1000 mg orally once daily
This dose may be increased every 2 weeks by 1000 mg/day to a maximum of 3000 mg once daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures:
Myoclonic seizures:
Oral:
Children 12 years and older: Immediate release: Initial: 500 mg twice daily; may increase every 2 weeks by 500 mg/dose to the recommended dose of 1500 mg twice daily. Efficacy of doses greater than 3000 mg/day has not been established.
Partial onset seizures:
Oral:
Children 1 month to less than 6 months old: Immediate release: 7 mg/kg/dose given twice daily (14 mg/kg/day); may increase every 2 weeks by increments of 14 mg/kg to the recommended daily dose of 42 mg/kg.
Children 6 months to less than 4 years old: Immediate release: 10 mg/kg given twice daily (20 mg/kg/day); may increase in 2 weeks by an increment of 20 mg/kg to the recommended daily dose of 50 mg/kg (25 mg/kg twice daily). The daily dose of 50 mg/kg may be reduced in patients who cannot tolerate this dose.
Children 4 to less than 16 years: Immediate release: 10 mg/kg/dose given twice daily; may increase every 2 weeks by 10 mg/kg/dose to the recommended dose of 30 mg/kg/dose twice daily (60 mg/kg/daily). The daily dose of 60 mg/kg may be reduced in patients who cannot tolerate this dose.
Children 16 years and older: Refer to adult dosing.
Maximum dose: 3000 mg/day
Tonic-clonic seizures:
Oral:
Children 6 to less than 16 years: Immediate release: Initial: 10 mg/kg dose given twice daily; may increase every 2 weeks by 10 mg/kg/dose to the recommended dose of 30 mg/kg twice daily. Efficacy of doses greater than 60 mg/kg/day has not been established.
Children 16 years and older: Refer to adult dosing.
Maximum dose: 3000 mg/day
What other drugs will affect levetiracetam?
There may be other drugs that can interact with levetiracetam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More levetiracetam resources
- Levetiracetam Side Effects (in more detail)
- Levetiracetam Dosage
- Levetiracetam Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Levetiracetam Drug Interactions
- Levetiracetam Support Group
- 101 Reviews for Levetiracetam - Add your own review/rating
- levetiracetam Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Keppra Consumer Overview
- Keppra Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Keppra XR Extended-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Levetiracetam Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Levetiracetam Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Levetiracetam MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Levetiracetam Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare levetiracetam with other medications
- Bipolar Disorder
- Epilepsy
- Hyperekplexia
- Neuralgia
- New Daily Persistent Headache
- Seizures
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about levetiracetam.
See also: levetiracetam side effects (in more detail)
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