Keppra (levetiracetam) 250mg, 500mg, 750mg tablets

Mfg: UCB Pharma, Inc.

Indication(s):  Adjunctive therapy (added to other antiepileptic drugs), in the treatment of
partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy.

Administration:  Oral tablets initiated at 500 mg twice daily in combination with other medication.

Pharmacology:  The precise mechanism of action of levetiracetam is unknown.  In vitro and in vivo recordings of epileptiform activity from the hippocampus have shown that levetiracetam inhibits burst firing without affecting normal neuronal excitability, suggesting that it may selectively prevent hypersynchronization of epileptiform burst firing and propagation of seizure activity.

WebRx Editorial Notes:  The most frequently reported adverse effects were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness.  Patients may also experience fatigue, coordination difficulties, and behavioral abnormalities.  The drug may lower erythrocyte counts, leukocyte counts, mean hemoglobin, mean hematocrit levels, or reduced neutrophils.  Levetiracetam is primarily eliminated by the kidneys.

• Watch for fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness
• Monitor blood counts
• Renal excretion...use caution in renal impairment or hemodialysis
• Use with caution in psychiatric patients
• Pregnancy Category C - Animal studies have demonstrated developmental toxicity to fetuses at normal doses

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