Product Description:

• Levetiracetam is used alone or together with other medicines to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy, including partial onset seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures.


• Levetiracetam is used to treat myoclonic seizures in people who are at least 12 years old and also used to treat primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people with certain types of epilepsy who are at least 6 years old.


• When used for partial onset seizures:


• the levetiracetam extended-release tablet is for adults and children at least 12 years old.


• the levetiracetam tablet for oral suspension is for children at least 4 years old who weigh at least 44 pounds (20 kilograms).


• other levetiracetam brand forms may be used in adults and children at least 1 month old.

How to Use:

• Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.


• You may take levetiracetam oral with or without food.


• Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.


• Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush or chew it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unable to swallow a whole tablet. Do not use a tablet that is damaged in any way.


• Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided to you on how to prepare and take levetiracetam tablet for oral suspension. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.


• Part of the extended-release tablet may appear in your stool, but this will not make the medicine less effective.

Warnings:

• Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.


• Seizures may increase if you stop using levetiracetam suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Before taking this medicine:

• You should not use levetiracetam if you are allergic to it.


• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:


• depression, a mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions


• high blood pressure;


• mental illness or psychosis; or


• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).


• Do not give levetiracetam to a child without medical advice. Certain brand forms of this medicine are for use only in children of certain ages.


• Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.


• Do not start or stop seizure medication during preg


• nancy without your doctor's advice. It is not known if levetiracetam will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Ask your doctor about this risk. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant.


• If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of levetiracetam on the baby.


• Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

Side Effects:

Serious Side Effects:

• Allergic reaction: hives, breathing difficulty, swelling of face or throat


• Severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red/purple rash with blistering and peeling


• Serious drug reaction affecting multiple organs: rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, yellowing skin or eyes


• New or sudden mood/behavior changes: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, impulsiveness, irritability, agitation, hostility, aggression, restlessness, excessive activity or talking, suicidal thoughts


• Confusion, hallucinations, extreme drowsiness, severe weakness or tiredness


• Loss of balance/coordination, movement problems


• Any skin rash (even mild)


• Low blood cell counts: fever, chills, tiredness, sores, easy bruising/bleeding, pale skin, cold hands/feet, light-headedness, shortness of breath

Common side effects:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness


• Aggression or irritability


• Loss of appetite, nausea


• Stuffy/runny nose, sore throat


• Infections (including flu)