Levetiracetam(lev ah ty ray’ ca tam)
Keppra, Keppra XRDNC
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug class
Antiepileptic
Therapeutic Actions
Mechanism of action not well understood; antiepileptic activity may be related to its ability to inhibit polysynaptic responses and block post-tetanic potentiation.
Indications
Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults and children 4 yr and older with epilepsy, when used with other epilepsy medication
Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in patients 12 yr and older
Adjunctive therapy in treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children 6 yr and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Unlabeled uses: Migraine prevention, adjunctive therapy for bipolar disease, tardive dyskinesia.
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to levetiracetam.
Use cautiously with lactation, pregnancy, renal impairment.
Available Forms
Tablets—250, 500, 750, 1,000 mg; oral solution—100 mg/mL; injection—500 mg/5 mL; ER tabletsDNC—500 mg
Dosages
Adults and children older than 16 yr
Partial-onset seizures: 1,000 mg/day given as 500 mg PO or IV bid; may be increased in 1,000-mg/day increments every 2 wk; maximum dose, 3,000 mg/day. ER tablets: 1,000 mg/day PO; increase every 2 wk in 1,000 mg/day intervals to maximum dosage 3,000 mg/day.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures: Initially, 1,000 mg/day PO given as 500 mg bid; increase by 1,000 mg/day every 2 wk to recommended 3,000 mg/day.
Adults and children 12 yr and older
Myoclonic seizures: 1,000 mg/day given as 500 mg PO bid; slowly increase to recommended maximum dose, 3,000 mg/day.
Pediatric patients 6–15 yr
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures: Initially, 20 mg/kg/day PO in two divided doses of 10 mg/kg. Increase every 2 wk by 20-mg/kg increments to recommended dosage of 60 mg/kg/day given as 30 mg/kg bid.
Pediatric patients 4–16 yr
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