1. Overview

• Generic name: Levetiracetam
• Brand names: Keppra, Keppra XR
• Drug class: Anticonvulsant drugs (anti-epilepsy)
• Therapeutic effect: Prevents seizures

Keppra (Levetiracetam) is a drug used for treating certain forms of epilepsy as it decreases the likelihood of seizures that occur as a result of abnormal nerve impulses in the brain.

Keppra chemically differs from other anti-epileptic medications, and the exact mechanism of preventing seizure activity by Keppra is not completely understood. It also produces fewer side effects in comparison with other anti-epileptic drugs, (most commonly drowsiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue and mood changes).

Keppra is a prescription medicine and is available as oral solutions and tablets.

2. Uses

Keppra (levetiracetam) is used for the treatment of:

1. Partial-Onset Seizures
2. Myoclonic Seizures
3. Tonic-Clonic Seizures

The drug might be used alone or in combination with other available anti-epileptic medications. A significant advantage of Keppra is that it doesn’t interact with other anti-epileptic drugs. Due to this advantage prescribing the drug is becoming increasingly common.

3. Dosage forms

Keppra (levetiracetam) is available as:

1. Solution for injection: 100 mg/ml
2. Oral Solution: 100 mg/ml
3. Tablets: 250 mg,500 mg, 750 mg and 1,000 mg
4. Extended-Release tablets: 500 mg and 750 mg

4. How & when to take Keppra

For tablets and oral solutions:

• Can be taken without regarding food.
• For patients who weigh 20 kg or less should take oral solutions, nevertheless, patients who weigh more than 20 kg could take either tablets or oral solutions.
• You should take oral solutions with an accurate measuring device (e.g. dosing spoon, medicine cup or syringe) which usually comes with the formulation.
• Never break, divide, crush or dissolve extended-release tablets, you should take them whole.
• Seizure management requires strict adherence to medication therapy.

Can I stop taking the drug if I feel better?

Do not stop taking Keppra without your doctors’ awareness. As with all medications used to treat epilepsy, if you stop Keppra abruptly without medical instruction it could cause an epileptic seizure.

What should I do If I missed a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, but if you are supposed your next dose within 4 hours, take one dose now and skip the next dose.

5. Special precautions

Be sure to tell your doctor if:

• You have long-term kidney or liver disease.
• You have depression with a high risk of suicide
• You are taking any other medication
• You have a particular psychotic illness

Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Keppra’s safety during pregnancy isn’t established, it’s ideal to discuss with your doctor before using it. If your doctor prescribed Keppra for you during pregnancy, the dose should be carefully monitored even after birth. Monitoring fetal growth is also recommended.

Keppra also has unestablished safety during breastfeeding, the drug is capable of passing into the milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using the drug.

Can I drive and do hazardous work while I’m using Keppra?
Keppra causes drowsiness in some people. it’s best to avoid those activities until you have learned how the drug affects you.

Can I drink alcohol while using Keppra?
Alcohol may worsen the drowsiness caused by Keppra; It’s recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.

6. Who cannot use Keppra?

The drug is not suitable for those individuals who are hypersensitive to Keppra (levetiracetam).

The safety of Keppra is not established in children who are 4 years old or younger. Dose reduction is absolutely necessary to avoid harm If Keppra is prescribed for children.

7. Side effects

The most common side effects are:

• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Pharyngitis
• Pain
• Mood changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Vertigo
• Anorexia
• Suicidal thoughts

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should immediately stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible. It’s also recommended to consult your doctor in the case of developing depression as a side effect. Drowsiness usually disappears with continued use of the drug.

8. Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Certain drugs like mefloquine and antidepressant drugs (such as tricyclics, MAOIs, and SSRIs) might decrease the anti-epileptic activity of levetiracetam. Using them together is contraindicated.

Food interactions

To the present day, no Food-Keppra interaction is known.