Levetiracetam: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Levetiracetam?

What is levetiracetam for?

Levetiracetam is an anti-epileptic drug that is used in conjunction with other medicines to help control some types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. This drug has been shown to reduce cases of seizures in children and adults. It is not yet known how levetiracetam works in preventing seizures.

How is levetiracetam used?

Read the drug's guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if available, before you get this medication and each time you buy it again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take regular liquid medication or tablets by mouth, as recommended by your doctor. Generally, the drug is taken twice a day, before or after meals. The medicine will taste bitter if you chew it or crush it.

If you are using liquid medicine, measure it carefully using a measuring spoon. Do not use a regular tablespoon to avoid inaccurate dosing.

If you are taking the extended-release tablet, follow the advice recommended by your doctor, generally once a day. Do not chew or crush the drug in this form as it will release all of the medicinal substance at once. This can increase the risk of side effects. Do not split medicinal tablets unless they have a dividing line down the middle, or do so only on the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist. Swallow the drug whole without chewing or mashing it.

The dose of this medication is based on your health condition, your kidneys, and your body's response to treatment. Children's dosage is based on body weight.

To reduce the risk of side effects (such as dizziness and drowsiness), your doctor may recommend starting with a low dose of this drug and gradually increasing your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions with c. same. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often than prescribed.

Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is at a constant level. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. Do not stop using this medication before consulting a doctor. Your seizures may get worse if you suddenly stop taking this drug. The dose should be gradually decreased.

How is levetiracetam stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Levetiracetam dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the levetiracetam dosage for adults?

The usual adult dosage for seizures

16 years and over:

Initial dose: 1000 mg daily dose, by immediate-release tablet or by IV injection, divided in 500 mg twice daily. Additional doses can be given (1000 mg / additional day every 2 weeks) up to the maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. There is no evidence that doses greater than 3000 mg / day provide any additional benefit.

Extended release:

Initial dose: 1000 mg orally once a day

This dose can be increased every 2 weeks to 1000 mg / day to a maximum of 3000 mg once daily.

What is the levetiracetam dosage for children?

Usual pediatric dosage for seizures

Myoclonic seizures:

Oral

Children 12 years and over

Immediate-release:

initial dose: 500 mg twice a day; can be increased every 2 weeks to 500 mg / dose at the recommended dose of 1500 mg twice daily. The efficacy of doses in excess of 3000 mg / day has not been established.

Partial onset seizures:

Oral

Infants aged 1 month to <6 months

Immediate-release:

7 mg / kg / dose given twice a day (14 mg / kg / day); can be increased every 2 weeks to 14 mg / kg for the recommended daily dose of 42 mg / kg.

Children 6 months to <4 years

Immediate release

10 mg / kg given twice daily (20 mg / kg / day); can be increased in 2 weeks to 20 mg / kg for the recommended daily dose of 50 mg / kg (25 mg / kg twice daily). The daily dose of 50 mg / kg can be reduced in patients who cannot tolerate this dose.

Children 4 to <16 years

Immediate release:

10 mg / kg / dose given twice daily; can be increased every 2 weeks to 10 mg / kg / dose with the recommended dose of 30 mg / kg / twice daily dose (60 mg / kg / day). The daily dose of 60 mg / kg can be reduced in patients who cannot tolerate this dose.

Children 16 years and older: See adult dose.

Maximum dose: 3000 mg / day

Tonic-clonic seizures:

Children 6 to <16 years

Immediate release:

Initial dose: 10 mg / kg dose given twice a day; can be increased every 2 weeks by 10 mg / kg / dose at the recommended dose of 30 mg / kg twice daily. Efficacy at doses of more than 60 mg / kg / day has not been established.

Children 16 years and older: See adult dose.

Maximum dose: 3000 mg / day

In what dosage is levetiracetam available?

Tablet, oral: 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg

Solution, oral: 100 mg / mL

Levetiracetam side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to levetiracetam?

Seek medical help right away if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects such as: hives; hard to breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor if you have new symptoms or if your condition worsens, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel restless, behave rudely, become irritable, hyperactive (mental or physical), or have suicidal thoughts or hurt yourself.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects, such as:

• hallucinating, having unusual thoughts or behaviors
• bruising, tingling, numbness, pain, severe muscle weakness
• feeling very weak or tired
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in mouth and throat
• problems walking or moving
• signs or symptoms of a skin rash, no matter how mild; or
• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes skin to blister and peel

The more common side effects include:

• lightheadedness or drowsiness
• mild tired feeling
• loss of appetite; or
• nasal congestion

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Levetiracetam Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using levetiracetam?

Before using this drug, pay attention to the following:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to levetiracetam, or any other medication
• tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you are using, especially drugs for high blood pressure, corticosteroids (eg prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), probenecid (Benemid)), and vitamins
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, are in the process of becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking the medicine, contact your doctor.
• understand that this medication may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machine tools until you understand how this drug affects you.
• understand that your mental health may change unexpectedly and you may have suicidal thoughts (think about injuring or killing yourself; or planning and trying to do so) while taking this medication for the treatment of epilepsy, mental illness, or other conditions. Some adults and children 5 years of age and older (about 1 in 500 people) who took anticonvulsants such as levetiracetam to treat various conditions during clinical studies were more likely to become suicidal during their treatment. Some people show suicidal behavior within one week of starting treatment. There is a risk that you may experience mental health changes if you take anticonvulsant drugs such as levetiracetam, but there is also a possible risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of using anticonvulsant drugs outweigh the risks of not using them. You, your family, or your nurse should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; restless; irritability, anxiety, or depression; act dangerous; hard to sleep; aggressive, angry, or abusive behavior; exuberance; talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; happy to think about death and dying; give his own valuable assets; or other unusual changes in behavior or mood. Make sure that your family or caregivers are aware of these serious symptoms so they can call your doctor if you are unable to get treatment yourself

Is levetiracetam safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is pregnancy risk category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
• A = no risk
• B = no risk in some studies
• C = there may be some risks
• D = positive evidence of risk
• X = contraindicated
• N = unknown

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Levetiracetam Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with levetiracetam?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• Ketorolac
• Methotrexate
• Orlistat
• Carbamazepine
• Ginkgo

Can food or alcohol interact with levetiracetam?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with levetiracetam?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• been depressed
• ever had a mental illness — Use with caution as it can make the condition worse.
• kidney problems - Use with caution. The kidneys can deteriorate due to the slow removal of waste products from the body.

Levetiracetam overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms include:

• drowsiness
• restless
• being aggressive
• decreased or lost consciousness
• difficulty breathing

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.