Levetiracetam

What it is used for

Levetiracetam is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older Levetiracetam is indicated for adjunctive therapy for the treatment of: Myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy 1.1 Partial-Onset Seizures Levetiracetam tablets are indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older.

1.2 Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Levetiracetam tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. 1.3 Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Levetiracetam tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

The most important thing to know

Like other antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam tablets may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500 people taking it. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying attempts to commit suicide new or worse depression new or worse anxiety feeling agitated or restless panic attacks trouble sleeping (insomnia) new or worse irritability acting aggressive, being angry, or violent acting on dangerous impulses an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania) other unusual changes in behavior or mood Do not stop levetiracetam tablets without first talking to a healthcare provider.

Stopping levetiracetam tablets suddenly can cause serious problems. Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus). Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.

How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions? Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms What are levetiracetam tablets?

Levetiracetam tablets are a prescription medicine taken by mouth that is used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older. Levetiracetam tablets are a prescription medicine taken by mouth that is used with other medicines to treat: myoclonic seizures in people 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 6 years of age and older with certain types of generalized epilepsy. It is not known if levetiracetam tablets are safe or effective in children under: 1 month of age to treat partial-onset seizures 12 years of age to treat myoclonic seizures 6 years of age to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures Before taking your medicine, make sure you have received the correct medicine.

Compare the name above with the name on your bottle and the appearance of your medicine with the description of levetiracetam tablets provided below. Tell your pharmacist immediately if you think you have been given the wrong medicine.

How to take it

Take levetiracetam tablets exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take them. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much levetiracetam tablets to take and when to take them. Levetiracetam tablets are usually taken 2 times each day. Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.

Take levetiracetam tablets with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or crush tablets. Ask your healthcare provider for levetiracetam oral solution if you cannot swallow tablets. If your healthcare provider has prescribed levetiracetam oral solution, be sure to ask your pharmacist for a medicine dropper or medicine cup to help you measure the correct amount of levetiracetam oral solution.

Do not use a household teaspoon. Ask your pharmacist for instructions on how to use the measuring device the right way. If you take too much levetiracetam tablets, call your local Poison Control Center or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Side effects, and when to stop

Levetiracetam tablets can cause serious side effects including: Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms: mood and behavior changes such as aggression, agitation, anger, anxiety, apathy, mood swings, depression, hostility, and irritability. A few people may get psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are really not there), delusions (false or strange thoughts or beliefs) and unusual behavior.

extreme sleepiness, tiredness, and weakness allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, lips, eyes, tongue, and throat, trouble swallowing or breathing, and hives. a skin rash. Serious skin rashes can happen after you start taking levetiracetam tablets. There is no way to tell if a mild rash will become a serious reaction.

a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver, kidneys, heart, or blood cells. This allergic reaction can be life-threatening and can cause death, particularly if it is not treated as early as possible. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have: a skin rash swelling of your face dark urine fever or swollen glands that do not go away shortness of breath yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes problems with muscle coordination (problems walking and moving) The most common side effects seen in people who take levetiracetam tablets include: sleepiness weakness infection dizziness The most common side effects seen in children who take levetiracetam tablets include, in addition to those listed above include: tiredness acting aggressive decreased appetite nasal congestion irritability Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of levetiracetam tablets. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Who should not take it

Do not take levetiracetam tablets if you are allergic to levetiracetam.

What to say before you start

Before taking levetiracetam tablets, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have or have had depression, mood problems or suicidal thoughts or behavior. have kidney problems. are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if levetiracetam tablets will harm your unborn baby.

You and your healthcare provider will have to decide if you should take levetiracetam tablets while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking levetiracetam tablets, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or go to http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.

The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of levetiracetam tablets and other antiepileptic medicine during pregnancy. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Levetiracetam can pass into your breast milk. It is not known if the levetiracetam that passes into your breast milk can harm your baby.

Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you receive levetiracetam tablets. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start a new medicine without first talking with your healthcare provider.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

What to avoid

Do not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how levetiracetam tablets affect you. Levetiracetam tablets may make you dizzy or sleepy.

Storing it

Store levetiracetam tablets at room temperature, 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) away from heat and light. Keep levetiracetam tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.