Levetiracetam

Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile, myoclonic seizures, Seizures + 4 more

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

4 Active Studies for Levetiracetam

What is Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Levetiracetam is a medication used to treat seizures caused by epileptic disorders. It was approved in the US in 1999 and does not interact with other anti-epileptic drugs. It is a preferred choice due to its wide therapeutic index and low risk of interactions.

Keppra

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Levetiracetam Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Keppra

Levetiracetam

2000

604

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Levetiracetam, otherwise known as Keppra, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses like Partial-Onset Seizures and Seizures .

Partial-Onset Seizures

Seizures

Effectiveness

How Levetiracetam Affects Patients

Levetiracetam helps prevent seizures by blocking abnormal electrical activity in the brain without affecting normal activity, though it is not known exactly how it works. It is considered to be a relatively safe drug, but it can still increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Patients taking levetiracetam should be monitored for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts, or any abnormal behaviour.

How Levetiracetam works in the body

We don't know exactly how levetiracetam works to stop seizures, but it likely involves its interaction with a protein called synaptic vesicle protein 2A. This protein helps release neurotransmitters in the brain, so levetiracetam's interaction with it might inhibit the release of these chemicals and reduce seizures. Levetiracetam has also been linked to changes in GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors, as well as calcium and ion channels. However, it is not yet clear if these changes contribute to the anti-epileptic effects of the drug.

When to interrupt dosage

The advocated dosage of Levetiracetam is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Epilepsies. The amount of dosage shifts in accordance with the method of administration (e.g. Tablet, for suspension or Intravascular) as featured in the following table.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Disease

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

myoclonic seizures

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Seizures

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Epilepsy

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Epilepsy, Generalized

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Obesity

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile

, 100.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg, 750.0 mg, 1000.0 mg, 250.0 mg, 1500.0 mg, 500.0 mg/mL, 5.0 mg/mL, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL

Solution, Solution - Oral, Oral, , Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution, concentrate, Injection, solution, concentrate - Intravenous, Intravenous, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Injection, Injection - Intravenous, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Injection, solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Solution - Intravenous, Intravascular, Injection - Intravascular, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release - Oral, Tablet, Chewable, Extended Release, Aerosol - Oral, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Aerosol

Warnings

Levetiracetam has one contraindication, so it should not be consumed in combination with the conditions in the accompanying table.

Levetiracetam Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Levetiracetam may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Levetiracetam.

Common Levetiracetam Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Azelastine

Major

Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Ethanol

Major

Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.

Oliceridine

Major

The risk or severity of hypotension, sedation, death, somnolence, and respiratory depression can be increased when Levetiracetam is combined with Oliceridine.

Thalidomide

Major

Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Thalidomide.

Daridorexant

Minor

The risk or severity of CNS depression can be increased when Levetiracetam is combined with Daridorexant.

Levetiracetam Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Levetiracetam is toxic to humans at doses of 10 mg/kg or higher. Overdosing on levetiracetam may cause agitation, aggression, sleepiness, loss of consciousness, decreased breathing, or coma. There is no known cure for levetiracetam overdose, so the best course of action is to provide supportive care and treat symptoms as necessary. Hemodialysis can be used to remove about 50% of levetiracetam from the bloodstream within 4 hours.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Levetiracetam Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Levetiracetam?

Currently, 3 clinical trials are underway to assess the potential of Levetiracetam for the treatment of myoclonic seizures, Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Epilepsy

0 Actively Recruiting

Seizures

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1

Epilepsy, Generalized

0 Actively Recruiting

myoclonic seizures

0 Actively Recruiting

Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile

0 Actively Recruiting

Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Obesity

0 Actively Recruiting

Levetiracetam Reviews: What are patients saying about Levetiracetam?

5

Patient Review

10/29/2016

Levetiracetam for Convulsive Seizures

My partner has been taking this medication and it's made them much more aggressive than usual. It's effective in keeping seizures at bay, but the negative mood swings are not worth it. We're currently looking into alternatives.

5

Patient Review

3/28/2018

Levetiracetam for Simple Partial Seizures

I was prescribed this following a Subdural Hematoma. After 10 months of usage, the side effects have been really tough to deal with (and my spouse has had to endure them too). My new neurologist says that KEPPRA is one of the most common drugs he knows of that leads to divorce. We are working hard to wean me off this drug.

5

Patient Review

8/6/2015

Levetiracetam for Simple Partial Seizures

I'm still getting seizures, even with this treatment. I've been to the ER for an overdose caused by my doctor giving me too high of a dose. He raised it back up when the seizures came back, and now I'm scared of having too many again and ending up back in the hospital. From what I've read, others have had better luck with Keppra than the generic version of this drug. Hopefully my insurance will cover it.

5

Patient Review

11/4/2015

Levetiracetam for Convulsive Seizures

This treatment has been working well for me. I'm also taking other drugs for my seizures and this one is doing its job without any allergic reactions, which was a nightmare with Lamictal.

4.7

Patient Review

1/10/2017

Levetiracetam for Simple Partial Seizures

No seizures for many years. I'm not sure if it's because of this medication or not, but I would rather not experiment with that.

4.3

Patient Review

5/6/2016

Levetiracetam for Convulsive Seizures

Depression. Difficulty sleeping more than 5 hours. Lack of energy.

4

Patient Review

5/29/2015

Levetiracetam for Convulsive Seizures

I had a really tough time with this medication. It made my symptoms much worse and I was constantly sick and couldn't sleep. My doctor insisted I keep taking it for at least a month, but I just couldn't do it.

4

Patient Review

9/6/2016

Levetiracetam for Simple Partial Seizures

This treatment has been effective, but it has also made me very irritable. I have shown signs of depression and my appetite has decreased significantly. I hope to be able to reduce the dosage soon, as I don't want to take antidepressants.

4

Patient Review

7/6/2016

Levetiracetam for Convulsive Seizures

This drug has turned my husband into a moody, aggressive person. Always on edge. It does prevent seizures but the behavior it causes is totally crazy!

3.7

Patient Review

7/19/2014

Levetiracetam for Simple Partial Seizures

2.7

Patient Review

7/28/2015

Levetiracetam for Additional Medication to Treat Partial Seizures

This drug, in combination with phenytoin and two others, has managed to stop my partial seizures. No change in mood noted, although I have noticed some memory loss.

2.3

Patient Review

8/23/2022

Levetiracetam for Simple Seizure

I have to take this medicine all the time and it's really interfered with my quality of life. I've gained weight, become irritable and depressed. I only eat because I'm hungry but I don't enjoy the taste of food anymore.

2

Patient Review

3/2/2015

Levetiracetam for Additional Medication for Myoclonic Epilepsy

1.3

Patient Review

9/5/2021

Levetiracetam for Simple Seizure

I went from being a happy, positive person to a moody, depressed person I don't even recognize. I had one seizure. In my opinion, this stuff is way too strong.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about levetiracetam

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is a levetiracetam used for?

"uk

Levetiracetam is a medicine that is used to treat epilepsy. It works by helping to prevent seizures from happening."

Answered by AI

What does levetiracetam do to the brain?

"The medicine Keppra stabilizes electrical activity in the brain, which Treats epilepsy by affecting the brain's nerve cells."

Answered by AI

What kind of drug is levetiracetam?

"Levetiracetam is a drug used to treat seizures, which is a condition known as epilepsy. It is classified as an anticonvulsant drug, which is a type of medication used to prevent seizures."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of the drug levetiracetam?

"You may be experiencing some of the following symptoms: dizziness, headaches, irritability, loss of strength and energy, mood and behavior changes, and sleepiness."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Levetiracetam