Overview
11 DESCRIPTION Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug available as 250 mg (blue), 500 mg (yellow), 750 mg (orange), and 1000 mg (white to off-white) tablets for oral administration. The chemical name of levetiracetam, a single enantiomer, is (-)-(S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, its molecular formula is C 8 H 14 N 2 O 2 and its molecular weight is 170.21.
Mechanism of Action
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action The precise mechanism(s) by which levetiracetam exerts its antiepileptic effect is unknown. A saturable and stereoselective neuronal binding site in rat brain tissue has been described for levetiracetam. Experimental data indicate that this binding site is the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, thought to be involved in the regulation of vesicle exocytosis. Although the molecular significance of levetiracetam binding to SV2A is not understood, levetiracetam and related analogs showed a rank order of affinity for SV2A which correlated with the potency of their antiseizure activity in audiogenic seizure-prone mice.
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Levetiracetam is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older (1.1) Levetiracetam is indicated for adjunctive therapy for the treatment of: Myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (1.2) Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (1.3) 1.1 Partial-Onset Seizures Levetiracetam tablets are indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older. 1.
Common Doses
- 7 mg
- 21 mg
- 10 mg
- 25 mg
Dosage
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Use the oral solution for pediatric patients with body weight ≤ 20 kg ( 2.1 ) For pediatric patients, use weight-based dosing for the oral solution with a calibrated measuring device (not a household teaspoon or tablespoon) ( 2.1 ) Partial-Onset Seizures (monotherapy or adjunctive therapy) 1 Month to 80 500 to 1,500 Every 12 hours Mild 50 to 80 500 to 1,000 Every 12 hours Moderate 30 to 50 250 to 750 Every 12 hours Severe
Contraindications
- 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Levetiracetam tablets are contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to levetiracetam. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. Known hypersensitivity to levetiracetam; angioedema and anaphylaxis have occurred ( 4 , 5.4 )
Side Effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more details in other sections of labeling: Behavior Abnormalities and Psychotic Symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.