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Levetiracetam (Levetiracetam) - Summary

 
 



LEVETIRACETAM SUMMARY

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug available as 250 mg (blue), 500 mg (yellow) and 750 mg (orange) tablets.

Levetiracetam tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy.


See all Levetiracetam indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Levetiracetam

Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.09.19]
Title: Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2017 5:25:51 PM

Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.08.14]
Title: Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Category: Health News
Created: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/14/2017 12:00:00 AM

Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Source: MedicineNet Brain Tumor Specialty [2017.08.11]
Title: Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Category: Health News
Created: 8/10/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM

Seizure (Epilepsy)
Source: MedicineNet Canavan Disease Specialty [2017.05.10]
Title: Seizure (Epilepsy)
Category: Symptoms and Signs
Created: 10/13/2003 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/10/2017 12:00:00 AM

Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Source: MedicineNet topiramate Specialty [2016.12.07]
Title: Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Category: Health News
Created: 12/6/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/7/2016 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam in the treatment of alcohol dependence: toward the end of the story? [2012]
that levetiracetam may be efficient in alcohol-related disorder... CONCLUSIONS: By conducting a state-of-the-art randomized-controlled clinical

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of levetiracetam extended-release in very heavy drinking alcohol-dependent patients. [2012]
population of very heavy drinkers... CONCLUSIONS: This multisite clinical trial showed no efficacy for levetiracetam

Double-masked, placebo-controlled study of intravenous levetiracetam for the treatment of status epilepticus and acute repetitive seizures in dogs. [2012]
BACKGROUND: Status epilepticus (SE) and acute repetitive seizures (ARS) are common canine neurologic emergencies...

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam for dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. [2011.07]
BACKGROUND: This randomized double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study investigated the antidyskinetic effects of levetiracetam in Parkinson's disease... CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam was well tolerated at doses up to 2000 mg per day, but we did not detect any antidyskinetic properties. (c) 2011 Movement Disorder Society. Copyright (c) 2011 Movement Disorder Society.

The anticonvulsant levetiracetam for the treatment of pain in polyneuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. [2011.07]
Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant which is assumed to act by modulating neurotransmitter release via binding to the vesicle protein SV2A. This could have an impact on signaling in the nociceptive system, and a pilot study indicated relief of neuropathic pain with levetiracetam. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the analgesic effect of levetiracetam in painful polyneuropathy... CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the anticonvulsant levetiracetam has no clinically relevant effect on painful polyneuropathy. Copyright (c) 2010 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Levetiracetam

An Open Label Study of Levetiracetam Monotherapy in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Focal Epilepsy [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Levetiracetam (LEV) used as monotherapy, with efficacy measured as 6-month seizure freedom at the last evaluated dose in the LEV 1000 mg/day to 2000 mg/day group, in newly or recently diagnosed Epilepsy subjects.

Levetiracetam to Prevent Post-Traumatic Epilepsy [Completed]
Head injury is the cause of approximately 5% of all epilepsy in the US. Past attempts at preventing epilepsy by treatment with older antiepileptic drugs have been unsuccessful. Levetiracetam is a novel AED with potent antiepileptogenic properties in animal models of epilepsy. It has a favorable side effect and pharmacokinetic profile. It is therefore a strong candidate for a clinical trial of epilepsy prevention following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, there has been no experience in administering levetiracetam rapidly to individuals with acute TBI. The investigators propose to initiate the evaluation of levetiracetam in prevention of post-traumatic epilepsy by determining the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and feasibility of acute and chronic administration of levetiracetam to individuals with head injury with a high risk for developing post-traumatic epilepsy. Further, the investigators will follow subjects for 2 years after injury in order to obtain pilot data about effect of levetiracetam on PTE. This pilot study is the first step in evaluation of levetiracetam in prevention of post-traumatic epilepsy.

Pharmacokinetic (PK) Study in Japanese Non-epileptic Renal Impaired Patients [Completed]
This is a human pharmacology, single-dose study to investigate the pharmacokinetics of orally administered Levetiracetam (LEV) in Japanese subjects with normal renal function and in Japanese subjects with various degrees of impaired renal function.

Levetiracetam (Keppra) Tolerability in Cocaine Abusing Methadone-Maintained Patients. [Active, not recruiting]
The proposed investigation will use methadone maintained patients who have concurrent cocaine dependence in order to take advantage of the excellent (over 80%) treatment retention in this patient group and to maximize treatment compliance by daily observed medication with both methadone and levetiracetam. In the initial patients we will explore the tolerability of escalating doses of levetiracetam as well as its potential role in reducing cocaine use, as monitored by self-report and verified by three-times weekly urine toxicology testing in methadone treated patients. The specific aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of levetiracetam 3 grams/day in modifying cocaine-using behavior, reducing cocaine craving and attenuating cocaine's reinforcing effect among methadone-maintained patients

An Open-label, Bioequivalence Study to Evaluate LEV Administered as a 45-min Intravenous Infusion and Same Dosage LEV Oral Tablet in Chinese [Completed]
The part A of N01362 is to evaluate the bioequivalence of Levetiracetam (LEV) 1500 mg intravenous (iv) infusion when compared to tablet oral administration in Chinese healthy volunteers.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Levetiracetam Side Effects

Convulsion (165)Product Substitution Issue (61)Drug Ineffective (60)Condition Aggravated (59)Pregnancy (53)Grand MAL Convulsion (46)Aggression (44)Petit MAL Epilepsy (40)Somnolence (39)Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy (39)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 1 ratings/reviews, Levetiracetam has an overall score of 3. The effectiveness score is 8 and the side effect score is 2. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst.
 

Levetiracetam review by 50 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   right temporal lobe epilepsy
Dosage & duration:   4000 daily (dosage frequency: 2000 mg. twice a day) for the period of I have been taking it for 9 mths.
Other conditions:   hypothyroid, Atrial-Fib,Stroke-April '06
Other drugs taken:   syntroid, valium, coumadin, atenolol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   In the beginning my seizures seemed to decrease, however at the time I was also on Depakote and Diamox as well as valium for right temporal lobe epilepsy; my doctor added keppra before he started weaning me off the depakote and diamox. I was feeling a lot better on all those meds. Then just the Keppra.
Side effects:   Side effects= Intermittent Headaches,weakness,shaky and Double Vision, poor muscle coordination, problem with movement, walking, Abnormal Gait, behavioral changes, anger,weight loss, slurred speech, & memory loss.
Comments:   I started on Keppra in Feb. '09, at first I thought it was the miracle drug. Boy was I wrong! At the time I was also on Depakote, Diamox and valium. First the Doctor added Keppra and began weaning me off the Depakote ER 500mg pm. 250mg. am. It took awhile to get off Depakote because I kept having effects from being weaned off it after being on it for 25 years. Then a few months later he started to wean me off of diamox, which I stopped a week ago, after a long process of being weaned off that drug. Now on Keppra alone with valium, I feel horrible and no heip from my Neurologist. I feel completely alone and with no help in sight!

See all Levetiracetam reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2017-09-19

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