What is levetiracetam?
Levetiracetam is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant.
Levetiracetam is used to treat partial onset seizures in adults and children who are at least 1 month old.
Levetiracetam is also used to treat tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children who are at least 6 years old, and myoclonic seizures in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.
Levetiracetam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about levetiracetam?
Do not stop using levetiracetam without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using levetiracetam suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, irritable, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take levetiracetam. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Do not start or stop taking levetiracetam during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Seizure control is very important during pregnancy and the benefits of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by using levetiracetam.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levetiracetam?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to levetiracetam.
To make sure you can safely take levetiracetam, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether levetiracetam will harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Do not start or stop taking levetiracetam during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
Seizure control is very important during pregnancy. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking levetiracetam. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking levetiracetam while you are pregnant.
Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using levetiracetam.
Do not give this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor. Your child's dose needs are based on age and weight. The child should remain under the care of a doctor while using levetiracetam.