What Is Keppra?
Keppra (levetiracetam) is a prescription antiepilepsy drug (AED) used for stopping seizures resulting from epilepsy. It may be prescribed for adults and for kids who’re aged 1 month or older.
This medicine binds to a protein within the mind referred to as the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A. This protein is regarded as concerned in regulating the discharge of sure neurotransmitters within the mind. It isn’t totally identified how this motion performs a job in seizure prevention.
Levetiracetam is accessible as a normal pill, extended-release pill, and as an answer for injection. Additionally it is accessible as an orally disintegrating pill (ODT) beneath the model title Spritam.
Drug Info
Generic Identify: Levetiracetam
Model Identify(s): Keppra, Keppra XR, Elepsia XR, Spritam, Roweepra
Administration Route(s): Oral
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: Anticonvulsant
Obtainable Generically: Sure
Managed Substance: N/A
Lively Ingredient: Levetiracetam
Dosage Kind(s): Pill, extended-release pill, pill for suspension, resolution
What Is Keppra Used For?
The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Keppra to forestall a number of several types of seizures.
Keppra is used to forestall:
- Partial-onset seizures for adults and youngsters who’re 1 month or older. Partial onset seizures start with irregular nerve exercise in a small space of the mind. They could stay focal in a localized area of the brain, typically with restricted signs (equivalent to one limb jerking or stiffening), or they will contain either side of the mind, typically with in depth results, equivalent to lack of consciousness and uncontrolled actions of the physique.
- Adjunctive (add-on) remedy for stopping seizures in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) for adults and youngsters aged 12 years and older. JME is an epilepsy syndrome that begins throughout childhood or adolescence, inflicting a number of forms of seizures.
- Adjunctive remedy for stopping idiopathic major generalized tonic-clonic seizures for adults and youngsters aged 6 years or older. Idiopathic major generalized tonic-clonic seizures happen and not using a identified trigger and start on either side of the mind, inflicting jerking and stiffening of the physique.
Adjunctive seizure medicine is advisable to be used with one other AED as a result of it isn’t anticipated to forestall seizures when used alone.
The best way to Take Keppra
You’ll be able to take Keppra tablets or oral resolution with or with out meals. This medicine is normally taken twice per day. Your healthcare supplier will let you know the way a lot to take and when to take it.
In case you or your little one can not swallow tablets, ask your healthcare supplier for the oral resolution.
For the ODT, enable the pill to dissolve in your tongue utterly earlier than swallowing. On common, it’ll take the pill 11 seconds to dissolve. For normal immediate-release tablets, you possibly can dissolve it in water and swallow the content material if wanted.
Storage
You need to maintain Keppra in its unique container and away from the attain of youngsters or pets. This medicine needs to be saved at a temperature of 77 levels Fahrenheit (F). It may be briefly taken in temperatures between 59 levels F and 86 levels F.
Off-Label Makes use of
Healthcare suppliers typically prescribe Keppra off-label for treating medical points that aren’t FDA-approved. In these conditions, your dose could differ from the usual dose. When taking Keppra off-label, be sure you monitor the signs and let your healthcare supplier know in case you are enhancing with Keppra.
Off-label makes use of of Keppra embody:
- Use for seizure prevention in infants youthful than 1 month of age
- Prevention of neuropathic pain
- Migraine prevention
- Prevention of psychiatric signs together with melancholy, physique dysmorphia, bipolar dysfunction signs
- Acute repetitive seizures and status epilepticus
In case you are prescribed Keppra to deal with an off-label indication, you possibly can expertise related negative effects to when taking Keppra for an indicated situation.
How Lengthy Does Keppra Take to Work?
Usually, this medicine begins to work inside a number of hours of taking it. It could take a number of days to succeed in its full impact for seizure prevention.
What Are the Facet Results of Keppra?
The widespread negative effects of Keppra will be gentle. Nevertheless, Keppra could cause vital negative effects which will intervene along with your high quality of life.
This isn’t an entire listing of negative effects and others could happen. A healthcare supplier can advise you on negative effects. In case you expertise different results, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare supplier. It’s possible you’ll report negative effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Frequent Facet Results
The commonest negative effects of Keppra differ barely primarily based on age.
The commonest negative effects in adults embody:
- Extreme tiredness
- Weak point and lack of vitality
- Infections
- Dizziness
The commonest negative effects in kids embody:
- Fatigue
- Aggression
- Nasal congestion
- Decreased urge for food
- Irritability
Make sure that to inform your healthcare supplier for those who or your little one experiences negative effects of Keppra.
Extreme Facet Results
Keppra could cause critical and doubtlessly life-threatening negative effects that needs to be handled promptly.
Extreme negative effects of Keppra can embody:
- Low blood pressure
- Temper adjustments
- Psychotic signs
- Suicidal ideas or habits
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Extreme pores and skin reactions
- Steadiness and coordination issues
- Hassle waking
Get medical consideration instantly for those who expertise any of those signs.
Lengthy-Time period Facet Results
Keppra is a comparatively quick-acting medicine with short-acting results. You shouldn’t have long-term negative effects after you cease taking Keppra.
Dosage: How A lot Keppra Ought to I Take?
Drug Content material Supplied and Reviewed by
IBM Micromedex®
The dose of this medication will probably be totally different for various sufferers. Comply with your physician’s orders or the instructions on the label. The next info contains solely the common doses of this medication. In case your dose is totally different, don’t change it until your physician tells you to take action.
The quantity of medication that you simply take relies on the power of the medication. Additionally, the variety of doses you are taking every day, the time allowed between doses, and the size of time you are taking the medication rely on the medical downside for which you might be utilizing the medication.
-
For oral dosage type (extended-release tablets):
-
For therapy of partial-onset seizures:
- Adults and youngsters 12 years of age and older and weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or extra—At first, 1000 milligrams (mg) as soon as a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 12 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
-
For therapy of partial-onset seizures:
-
For oral dosage type (Keppra® resolution or tablets):
-
For partial onset seizures:
- Adults and youngsters 16 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters 4 to fifteen years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Youngsters 6 months to three years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 10 mg per kg of physique weight 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 50 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Youngsters 1 to five months of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 7 mg per kg of physique weight 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 42 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 1 month of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
-
For juvenile myoclonic seizures:
- Youngsters 12 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 12 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
-
For major generalized tonic-clonic seizures:
- Adults and youngsters 16 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters 6 to fifteen years of age—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of physique weight 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 60 mg per kg of physique weight per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 6 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
-
For partial onset seizures:
-
For oral dosage kinds (Spritam® tablets, Spritam® tablets for suspension):
-
For partial onset seizures:
- Adults and youngsters 4 years of age and older weighing over 40 kilograms (kg)—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters 4 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 250 mg 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 1500 mg per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 4 years of age and weighing lower than 20 kg—Use just isn’t advisable.
-
For juvenile myoclonic seizures:
- Youngsters 12 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 12 years of age—Use and dose have to be decided by your physician.
-
For major generalized tonic-clonic seizures:
- Adults and youngsters 6 years of age and older weighing over 40 kilograms (kg)—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 3000 mg per day.
- Youngsters 6 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is predicated on physique weight and have to be decided by your physician. The standard beginning dose is 250 mg 2 instances a day. Your physician could modify your dose as wanted. Nevertheless, the dose is normally no more than 1500 mg per day.
- Youngsters youthful than 6 years of age and weighing lower than 20 kg—Use just isn’t advisable.
-
For partial onset seizures:
Modifications
In some circumstances, your healthcare supplier could modify your therapy with Keppra by altering your dose or switching your medicine altogether.
Being pregnant
The physiological adjustments that happen when pregnant could have an effect on the degrees of Keppra in your physique, particularly throughout the third trimester. Your healthcare supplier could modify your dose of Keppra and monitor for any detrimental results. In case your dose is modified throughout being pregnant, shut monitoring can also be advisable by way of the postpartum interval. Of observe, there are not any satisfactory and well-controlled research of levetiracetam in people who find themselves pregnant. Subsequently, the potential danger ought to at all times be in comparison with the advantage of staying on the medicine whereas pregnant.
Breastfeeding
Keppra can go by way of human breast milk. Though there are not any information on the consequences of this medicine on a breastfed toddler or milk manufacturing, it’s endorsed to think about any negative effects which may happen. Speak along with your healthcare supplier about your choices.
Kidney Issues
Individuals with kidney impairment could require a dose adjustment. Supplemental doses needs to be given after dialysis.
Missed Dose
In case you miss a dose of Keppra, take the missed dose as quickly as potential. Whether it is virtually time on your subsequent dose, skip the missed dose. Return to your common dosing schedule. Don’t double up on doses.
Overdose: What Occurs If I Take Too A lot Keppra?
Taking an excessive amount of Keppra can improve the danger of negative effects, together with extreme issues with stability and/or blood strain adjustments.
Inform your healthcare supplier if in case you have taken an excessive amount of Keppra. Search emergency medical consideration for those who start to expertise signs of an overdose. You’ll must be monitored and will obtain therapy for signs of an overdose. Remedy can embody medically-induced vomiting or a process to instantly take away the drug from the abdomen.
What Occurs If I Overdose on Keppra?
In case you assume you or another person could have overdosed on Keppra, name a healthcare supplier or the Poison Management Heart (1-800-222-1222).
If somebody collapses or is not respiratory after taking Keppra, name 911 instantly.
Precautions
Drug Content material Supplied and Reviewed by
IBM Micromedex®
It is rather essential that your physician test your or your kid’s progress at common visits, particularly for the primary few months you or your little one are utilizing this medication. That is to see if the medication is working correctly and to permit for a change within the dose. Blood checks could also be wanted to test for any negative effects.
You will need to inform your physician for those who change into pregnant whereas utilizing this medication. Your physician might want you to hitch a being pregnant registry for sufferers taking a seizure medication.
Levetiracetam could trigger adjustments in temper or habits, issues with coordination, or uncommon tiredness or weak spot. Inform your physician instantly for those who or your little one begin to really feel depressed, anxious, offended, getting upset simply, stressed, or have ideas about hurting your self. Report any uncommon ideas or habits that bother you, particularly if they’re new or getting worse rapidly.
This medication could trigger some individuals to change into dizzy, drowsy, drained, or much less alert than they’re usually. Don’t drive or do anything that may very well be harmful till you know the way this medication impacts you.
This medication could trigger critical allergic reactions, together with anaphylaxis or angioedema, which will be life-threatening and require instant medical consideration. Name your physician instantly if in case you have a rash, itching, massive, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, arms, legs, ft, or intercourse organs, bother respiratory or swallowing, or any swelling of your arms, face, or mouth while you’re utilizing this medication.
Severe pores and skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, poisonous epidermal necrolysis) can happen with this medication. Verify along with your physician instantly for those who or your little one have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the pores and skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle ache, pink irritated eyes, pink pores and skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots within the mouth or on the lips, or uncommon tiredness or weak spot while you’re utilizing this medication.
Don’t cease utilizing levetiracetam with out first checking along with your physician. Stopping the medication immediately could trigger your seizures to return or to happen extra typically. Your physician might want you to regularly cut back the quantity you’re taking earlier than stopping it utterly.
Make sure that any physician or dentist who treats you is aware of that you’re utilizing this medication. This medication could have an effect on the outcomes of sure medical checks.
What Are Causes I Shouldn’t Take Keppra?
Don’t take Keppra if in case you have a identified allergy to levetiracetam or any of its elements. An allergic response could cause angioedema and anaphylaxis.
What Different Drugs Work together With Keppra?
Keppra doesn’t normally trigger dangerous drug interactions. It’s steadily taken with different AEDs for seizure prevention.
What Drugs Are Comparable?
Keppra is considered one of many AEDs used for stopping seizures.
Comparable antiseizure medicines embody:
- Briviact (brivaracetam)
- Lamictal (lamotrigine)
- Phenobarbitol
- Valproate and divalproex sodium
The best way to Keep Wholesome Whereas Taking Keppra
In case you are taking Keppra, it is crucial that you simply monitor your signs and negative effects and discuss to your healthcare crew about whether or not the medicine is working.
Tricks to keep wholesome whereas taking Keppra embody:
- Avoid seizure triggers, together with alcohol, sleep deprivation, flashing lights, skipping meals, and fevers.
- Take your medicine as prescribed.
- Don’t skip doses or take additional doses of Keppra.
- Have a plan in place for managing seizures if in case you have any.
- Have a plan to get medical consideration if in case you have a extreme seizure.
- Speak to your healthcare supplier about whether or not you’ve gotten permission to drive or function doubtlessly harmful equipment.
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Well being’s drug info is supposed for schooling functions solely and never meant as a substitute for medical recommendation, analysis, or therapy from a healthcare skilled. Seek the advice of your healthcare supplier earlier than taking any new medicine(s). IBM Watson Micromedex supplies among the drug content material, as indicated on the web page.
