Levetiracetam for epilepsy
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Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Keppra | levetiracetam |
Levetiracetam is taken several times daily and comes in tablet form.
How It Works
It is not known exactly how levetiracetam prevents seizures.
Why It Is Used
Levetiracetam (Keppra) may be used to help control partial seizures in adults. It is used with, not instead of, other antiepileptic medications (add-on, or adjunctive, therapy). It may also be used alone or in combination with other epilepsy drugs to treat seizures that affect the entire brain (generalized) in adults.1
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved levetiracetam to treat partial seizures in children age 4 and older.
How Well It Works
When added to treatment with another antiepileptic medication, levetiracetam is sometimes effective in reducing partial seizures in people who have had trouble controlling their seizures with other medications.2
Side Effects
Levetiracetam usually causes only mild side effects. The most common ones are:
- Sleepiness.
- Dizziness and unsteadiness.
- Weakness.
- Mild agitation, anxiety, or depression.
Unlike many of the antiepileptic medications, levetiracetam is unlikely to cause an adverse reaction when used at the same time as other medications.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
- Side effects. Levetiracetam has few side effects and is tolerated well by most people.
- Cost. Levetiracetam is expensive.
- Other concerns. Levetiracetam may be a good choice if you are taking medications for other conditions, because it does not interact with other medications. It is also a good choice if you take birth control pills because it will not make the pills any less effective.
For some people, levetiracetam may produce side effects or carry risks, including an increased risk of birth defects, that are not fully known yet. Report any unexpected side effects or problems to your doctor.
It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments by you and your doctor to find the combination, schedule, and dosing of medication to best manage your epilepsy. The goal is to prevent seizures while causing as few unwanted side effects as possible. Once the most effective medication program is determined, it is important that you follow it exactly as prescribed.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
Drugs for epilepsy. (2003). Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, 1(9): 57–64.
French JA, et al. (2004). Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs II: Treatment of refractory epilepsy. Report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee and Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology, 62(8): 1261–1273.
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
| Last Updated | November 11, 2005 |
| Last updated: | November 11, 2005 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman |
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