Levetiracetam
About
Levetiracetam belongs to a group of medications known as 'anti-convulsant' primarily used to treat seizures (fits) due to epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic condition where the patients have repeated fits (convulsions). Levetiracetam is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits affect only one side of the brain, but could extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain.
Levetiracetam contains Levetiracetam, used in combination or alone for treating symptoms of epilepsy. It works by slowing down the abnormal signals which the brain gives, leading to episodes of seizures. It helps by suppressing specific brain sites responsible for abnormal activity and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures. It reduces the episodes of seizures but does not cure epilepsy.
Take Levetiracetam as prescribed. Your doctor will decide how often you should take Levetiracetam based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience daytime drowsiness, disturbed sleep, light-headedness, or dizziness, sleepiness, general weakness, and unexplained infections. Most of these side effects of Levetiracetam do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.
It is not known if Levetiracetam is safe or effective in children below four years of age. Do not take Levetiracetam if you have any kidney disease, lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or a problem with alcohol or other prescription drugs. It is not known if Levetiracetam will harm the foetus or not if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Levetiracetam affects you, as its intake may make you dizzy or sleepy. Young children (especially less than 16 years) are more likely to develop behavioural changes like aggression than adults, so Levetiracetam should only be given under medical supervision to children. Suddenly stopping Levetiracetam can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremor, or general unwell feeling. Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused in some patients taking Levetiracetam, so pay attention to any sudden change in mood swings, behaviour, or feeling.
Uses of Levetiracetam
Medicinal Benefits
Levetiracetam contains Levetiracetam, used in combination or alone for treating symptoms of epilepsy. It works by slowing down the abnormal signals which the brain gives, leading to episodes of seizures. It helps by suppressing specific brain sites responsible for abnormal activity and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures. It reduces the episodes of seizures but does not cure epilepsy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levetiracetam
- Daytime drowsiness
- Disturbed sleep
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- General weakness
- Unexplained infections
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Taking Levetiracetam with other anti-epileptic medication can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Levetiracetam should be taken with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Levetiracetam may affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery if taken with alcohol as you may feel dizzy, and you may be unable to concentrate. If you feel excess suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, dizziness, or sleepiness, let your doctor know about this. Pregnant or lactating women should consult a doctor before taking it as Category C pregnancy medication. Do not take Levetiracetam if you are allergic to any of its active ingredients, suffer from lung disease, liver disease, glaucoma, have difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea). Levetiracetam can cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which can be life-threatening. Please visit the doctor immediately if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: This medicine may have interaction with antianxiety or antiepileptic medicines (carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), anti-HIV drugs (amprenavir, ritonavir), acidity medicine (cimetidine), drugs to treat chronic alcoholism (disulfiram), anti-tuberculosis drug (rifampicin), anti-Parkinson’s drug (levodopa), and asthma drugs (theophylline).
Drug-Food Interaction: Levetiracetam may interact with a multivitamin, multi-mineral, or other herbal supplements. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Effectiveness of Levetiracetam is affected in haemodialysis (when kidneys are not naturally able to perform a function), anaemia (low haemoglobin level). Also, obese people (with a BMI greater than 25) should consult a doctor before taking Levetiracetam.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Levetiracetam to avoid unpleasant side-effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or sleepiness. It may also lead to a life-threatening condition like coma if taken with excessive alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionLevetiracetam is a Category C risk pregnancy drug that is considered unsafe for pregnant women. Levetiracetam can have some harmful effects on the baby (fetus), so your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeLevetiracetam passes into the breast milk and may affect the health of the baby. So, keep your doctor informed if you're planning to breastfeed while on this medication.
Driving
unsafeLevetiracetam usually causes dizziness, drowsiness, and visual disturbances, which may affect their ability to drive or operate machinery. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking Levetiracetam. Tell your doctor if you get these types of side effects.
Liver
cautionLevetiracetam to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLevetiracetam to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disorders. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Do not give Levetiracetam to dialysis patients and kidney failure patients.
Children
unsafeIt is not known whether Levetiracetam is safe or effective in treating conditions like panic disorder in children younger than 18 years old. So, your doctor will decide whether Levetiracetam can be given to the children less than 18 years of age or not.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise, which can help lower anxiety by releasing endorphins and improving your sleep and self-image.
- Find the humor in your daily life. Try to watch light-hearted shows to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve anxiety.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- Reduce your alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, high salt, and high fat intake. Especially trans-fat may help also help reduce inflammation.
- You can include antioxidants in your daily diet like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a brain-related chronic disorder characterized by episodes of seizures (fits). In this condition, there is a chemical change in the brain cells (neurons) that leads to a sudden rise of electrical activity (impulse) in the brain followed by sudden jerky movements of limbs or a body part. This disease cannot be cured but managed.
FAQs
Caffeine is a stimulant that may reduce the calming effects of Levetiracetam. So, it is advisable to avoid caffeine intakes like coffee, tea, cola, or chocolate containing caffeine.
If the intake of Levetiracetam makes you feel sleepy or dizzy, do not drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery. Let your doctor know if you feel such symptoms after taking this medicine.
Levetiracetam is a Category C pregnancy drug. It means studies have shown the risk of adverse effects on the fetus when the mother takes this medicine. So, if you are planning a pregnancy or are currently pregnant, inform your doctor.
There is no clinical evidence that Levetiracetam affects fertility in either men or women. But, if you are trying to get pregnant, consult your doctor.
Do not stop taking Levetiracetam until instructed by your doctor. You may get side effects like confusion, depression, nervousness, sweating, and diarrhea. Your doctor may lower the dose of Levetiracetam if using it for more than 2-4 weeks of treatment to reduce side effects.
Levetiracetam is prescribed for the long term when used for epilepsy. So, if Levetiracetam is prescribed for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may reduce the dose before stopping it completely to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Yes, if you feel unexpected puberty or slowing in growth, please consult your doctor and do as your doctor advises.
No, even if you feel better, you should not stop the medication without consulting your doctor as this might increase the episodes of seizures.
