Type of medicine: antiseizure
Generic and brand names: levetiracetam, oral; Keppra; Keppra XR
This medicine is taken by mouth to help prevent seizures in people who have partial onset seizures (a type of epilepsy). It is also used to treat juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. This medicine may be used with other epilepsy medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Your dosage may be increased every 2 weeks until your seizures are controlled. If you do not understand how much medicine to take, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Do not change your dosage on your own.
This medicine comes in regular and sustained-release tablets, and an oral solution. If you have the tablets, swallow them whole. Do not crush or chew them. If you take the oral solution, use a special dose measuring spoon or cup to measure the correct dose.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Take it with water unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Your healthcare provider will reduce your dosage gradually. If you stop taking the medicine too quickly, you may have more seizures.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, restlessness, aggression, slowed breathing, trouble walking, lack of coordination, vomiting.
If you develop hives, an itchy rash, or peeling skin, stop taking the medicine and contact your provider right away.
Antiseizure medicines may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some people. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or increased thoughts of suicide.
Rarely, this medicine may cause hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), anxiety, hostility, or other severe emotional or mental changes. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these problems.
This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Depression, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), anxiety, hostility, peeling skin, trouble urinating, unexplained fever, loss of coordination, yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, headache, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, muscle or joint pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
