Levetiracetam (lev-eh-teer-ASS-eh-tam) is the generic name (non-brand name) for the drug called Keppra (KEP-ruh). Keppra is a widely used seizure medicine from UCB.

Why Keppra is bad for you?

As with other antiepileptics, Keppra may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Monitor for worsening depression or mood changes. Keppra may also cause behavioral problems such as aggression, anxiety, irritability, and nervousness; advise people taking Keppra to monitor their mood.

What should I avoid while taking levetiracetam?

levETIRAcetam food

You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with levETIRAcetam. Do not use more than the recommended dose of levETIRAcetam, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you.

What is a good substitute for Keppra?

(levetiracetam)

• Keppra (levetiracetam) Prescription only. 33% of people say it's worth it. ...
• 5 alternatives.
• Lamictal (lamotrigine) Prescription only. ...
• Dilantin (phenytoin) Prescription only. ...
• Tegretol (carbamazepine) Prescription only. ...
• Topamax (topiramate) Prescription only. ...
• Depakote (divalproex) Prescription only.

What is the brand name for Keppra?

Levetiracetam is used with other medications to treat seizures (epilepsy). It belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Levetiracetam may decrease the number of seizures you have. Levetiracetam is available under the following different brand names: Keppra, Keppra XR, and Spritam.

Levetiracetam (Keppra) with Epilepsy Neurologist Dr. Omar Danoun

25 related questions found

What else is levetiracetam used for?

Levetiracetam is used with other medications to treat seizures (epilepsy). It belongs to a class of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Levetiracetam may decrease the number of seizures you have.

What does levetiracetam do to the brain?

How does levetiracetam work? Brain cells normally "talk" to each other using electrical signals and chemicals. Seizures can happen when the brain cells are not working properly or working faster than usual. Levetiracetam slows down these electrical signals to stop seizures.

Why is levetiracetam preferred?

It has been demonstrated effective as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial-onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and myoclonic seizures of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Is levetiracetam a drug of choice?

It is chemically unrelated to other antiepileptic drugs. Its favorable safety profile, distinct mechanism of action, and fewer drug interactions make it an attractive therapeutic choice for the treatment of seizures.

What is the generic name for levetiracetam?

Levetiracetam (lev-eh-teer-ASS-eh-tam) is the generic name (non-brand name) for the drug called Keppra (KEP-ruh). Keppra is a widely used seizure medicine from UCB. Keppra is available in many countries, but the name or look may be different.

Does Levetiracetam cause memory loss?

The study, therefore, affirms that the use of Levetiracetam improves the quality of life and it does not affect or interfere with the cognitive functions of the brain. The study seeks to demystify the linking of Levetiracetam to memory loss of its users.

What is Levetiracetam 500 mg used for?

Levetiracetam is used alone and along with other medications to control partial-onset seizures (seizures that involve only one part of the brain) in adults, children, and infants 1 month of age or older.

What are the side effects of Levetiracetam 500 mg?

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness;
• feeling aggressive or irritable;
• loss of appetite;
• stuffy nose; or.
• infection.

Is 500 mg of Keppra a lot?

The usual starting dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day. Children 6 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

What are the long term effects of taking Keppra?

The most frequently reported side effects associated with the use of LEV in pooled analyses of the regulatory trials were somnolence, asthenia, headache and dizziness. TPM-associated adverse events were predominantly central nervous system-related symptoms, including somnolence, dizziness and psychomotor slowing.

Does Levetiracetam cause weight gain?

It depends on the degree of disease because Levetiracetam is considered a “weight- neutral" drug. It might lead to both weight gain and weight loss.

What is the best anti epilepsy drug?

"[Lamictal] seems to be the winner," Marson says. The second trial looked at 716 patients newly diagnosed with generalized epilepsy. It compared the older drug valproic acid (in the U.S., Depakote is the most popular member of this drug family) to Lamictal and Topamax.

How long does it take levetiracetam to work?

Measure liquid forms carefully. Do not stop this medication abruptly in order to prevent withdrawal seizures. This medication should take effect within 1 to 2 hours; however, effects may not be visibly obvious and therefore laboratory tests may need to be done to evaluate whether the medication is working.

Is Levetiracetam a depressant?

Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Atropine. The therapeutic efficacy of Levetiracetam can be decreased when used in combination with Azatadine. Levetiracetam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.

Which is better phenytoin or levetiracetam?

Conclusions: Levetiracetam generally appears to have a similar efficacy to phenytoin in preventing clinical and/or electrographic seizures following acute/subacute SDH diagnosis, though patients with midline shift >0 mm may have associated with a higher risk of electrographic seizures on levetiracetam compared with ...

What is true about levetiracetam Keppra )?

Keppra is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of partial onset seizures, tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonic seizures. Keppra may be used alone or with other medications. Keppra belongs to a class of drugs called Anticonvulsants.

What kind of seizures is Keppra used for?

Keppra is approved as adjunctive therapy to treat partial-onset seizures in patients aged 4 years or older with epilepsy, as adjunctive therapy in treating myoclonic seizures in patients aged 12 years or older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and as adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in ...

What is Levetiracetam 250 mg used for?

Levetiracetam Zentiva 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg film-coated tablets is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy). Levetiracetam is used: on its own in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to treat a certain form of epilepsy.

Does Keppra change your personality?

Common side effects of Keppra include: infection, neurosis, drowsiness, asthenia, headache, nasopharyngitis, nervousness, abnormal behavior, aggressive behavior, agitation, anxiety, apathy, depersonalization, depression, fatigue, hostility, hyperkinetic muscle activity, personality disorder, emotional lability, ...

How long do Levetiracetam side effects last?

These side effects are more common during the first 4 weeks and usually lessen as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.