If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light, and keep it out of the reach of children. Any liquid medication remaining in the bottle after 7 months should be safely discarded.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater e. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to levetiracetam or any ingredients of the medication. Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses.
Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:. Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:.
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health.
These factors may affect how you should use this medication. Make sure you know how you react to Keppra before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are drowsy.
Children should not ride a bike, climb trees or do anything else that could be dangerous if they are feeling drowsy or sleepy. Keppra may cause drowsiness and affect alertness. Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Keppra. Combining Keppra and alcohol can make you more drowsy. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Keppra.
Keppra helps most people with epilepsy, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. If you get any side effects, do not stop taking Keppra without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:. Keppra oral solution includes methylhydroxybenzoate and parahydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reactions, and maltitol which may have a mild laxative effect. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take the oral solution.
Keppra oral solution also contains glycerol which can cause headache, stomach upset and diarrhoea when ingested in doses greater than 10g. However, recommended doses of Keppra oral solution for children of 20kg or less contains less than 1.
If you experience any other side-effects, tell your doctor immediately. If you experience more frequent or more severe seizures fits , or thoughts of self harm tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may happen in some people.
Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress. Keep your tablets in the pack or your solution in its original bottle until it is time to take it. If you take the tablets or solution out of their packs they will not keep well. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car on hot days.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Swallow the tablet or the extended-release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. There is an oral liquid form of this medicine if you or your child cannot swallow the tablets. If you do not see the blue or white, off-white layer, do not take the tablet. A part of the tablet may also pass into your stool.
This is normal and is nothing to worry about. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it.
Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet on your tongue and take a sip of water.
After it has melted, swallow. Swallow right away after it has dissolved. Then add a small volume of liquid to cup again, swirl gently, and swallow the liquid. Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, dropper, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine can be used with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your seizure medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Take only the form of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. If you refill your prescription and your pills look different, do not take the medicine and tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. You may still have seizures during this time.
Levetiracetam can be taken by adults and children aged 1 month and over. Levetiracetam is not suitable for some people. To make sure levetiracetam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to levetiracetam or other medicines in the past have kidney problems have had a low mood depression or thoughts of harming or killing yourself in the past are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant have an intolerance to some sugars — some brands of levetiracetam liquid contain maltitol have ever had an allergic reaction to preservatives and artificial food colourings like sunset yellow E — some brands of levetiracetam contain these.
Dosage The usual dose of levetiracetam to treat epilepsy in: adults and older children aged 12 years and over — mg to 3,mg a day, taken as 1 or 2 doses, but the exact dose may depend on your weight. Will my dose go up or down? Once you find a dose that suits you, it'll usually stay the same. What if I forget to take it? If you take levetiracetam and miss a dose: once a day — take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it's less than 12 hours before the next dose is due, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal. If it's less than 8 hours before the next dose is due, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as normal. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
What if I take too much? Taking too much levetiracetam can cause serious side effects. You take too much levetiracetam and: feel sleepy or less alert feel agitated or aggressive have problems breathing pass out.
Common side effects These common side effects may happen in more than 1 in people. Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your pharmacist or doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: a blocked nose or itchy throat feeling drowsy, sleepy or dizzy headaches aggression, or feeling irritable or agitated feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting Serious side effects Very few people taking levetiracetam have serious problems.
Tell a doctor straight away if you have a serious side effect, including: flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face, or a rash that spreads or forms blisters — these can be signs of a rare serious skin condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome seizures getting worse passing very little pee, feeling tired or confused, or having swollen legs, ankles or feet — these could be signs of kidney problems signs of serious mental changes, or someone around you notices signs of confusion, sleepiness, loss of memory, forgetfulness, abnormal behaviour or uncontrolled movements thoughts of harming or killing yourself — a small number of people taking levetiracetam have had suicidal thoughts Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to levetiracetam.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: a blocked nose or itchy throat — if it's bothering you, ask your pharmacist for something to help your symptoms.
If they do not wear off, tell your doctor feeling drowsy, sleepy or dizzy — as your body gets used to levetiracetam, these side effects should wear off. Do not drive, ride a bike, or operate machinery until you feel more alert. If they do not wear off within 1 or 2 weeks, your doctor may reduce your dose or increase it more slowly. If that does not work, you may need to switch to a different medicine headaches — make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.
If it's a problem, ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if your headaches last longer than a week or are severe. It might help to take your levetiracetam after a meal or snack. If you're being sick, take small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Speak to a doctor if your symptoms get worse or last longer than a week. Levetiracetam and pregnancy There's no firm evidence that levetiracetam is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not stop the medicine without talking to your doctor first. Levetiracetam and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, levetiracetam can be taken while you're breastfeeding. Levetiracetam passes into breast milk in small amounts. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: macrogol , a laxative other epilepsy medicines, such as carbamazepine , lamotrigine , oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin methotrexate , a medicine that can be used to treat arthritis and other conditions Mixing levetiracetam with herbal remedies and supplements There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside levetiracetam, especially ones that cause sleepiness or dizziness.
Ask your pharmacist for advice. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does levetiracetam work?
Levetiracetam slows down these electrical signals to stop seizures. Levetiracetam also works differently from most epilepsy medicines. How long does it take to work? It usually takes a few weeks for levetiracetam to work properly.
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