Keppra (Levetiracetam)

What is Generic Keppra?

The drug Keppra is an anticonvulsant drug.

Research of this drug have determined that the active substance has an impact on the concentration of ions and decrease a little bit Ca2 + using N-type channels, reduce the production of calcium from the intraneuronal depot area. Keppra is used in many focal and generalized epileptic syndromes.

Epilepsy is a common disease of the nervous system; it is characterized by repetitive stereotyped seizures.

The main active ingredient is a Levetiracetam. The chemical structure and mechanism of action of the drug Keppra is very different from other known drugs against epilepsy.

In what kind of disease treatment Keppra is helpful?

It is used for medical treatment of partial seizures with secondary generalization or in its absence and since 16 years as monotherapy in case of newly diagnosed epilepsy.

As complex therapy it can be used in the following cases: partial seizures in epilepsy, since the four-year-olds; primary generalized types of seizures since 12 years with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Also is confirmed the effectiveness of the impact of therapy Keppra with myoclonus (sudden chaotic contraction of individual muscles or the entire body, both in the active and in the quiescent state) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Therefore Keppra has become the main drug for the treatment of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Generic Keppra?

Contraindications include:

• Age less than 4 years;
• Sensitivity to drug ingredients;
• Impaired glucose tolerance.

How should I take Keppra?

The tablets are used orally 2 times a day, 250mg, regardless of the meal, washed down with a moderate amount of water.

For patients older than 65 years this drug is prescribed very carefully. Special instructions in stopping the drug Keppra: a single dose of the drug is reduced gradually to 500 mg every week. In case of switching from other drugs concomitant medications should be canceled gradually.

Dosage information

The drug is presented in the form of tablet; each contains 250 and 500 mg. It can be prescribed as monotherapy in the amount of 500 mg per day. After 2 weeks the dose is gradually increased up to 1000 mg (500 mg, 2 times a day). Daily amount of the drug should be divided into two equal intakes.

The maximum possible dose is 3 g.

Age 6 months to 17 years with a body weight less than 50 kg is applied amount of 10 mg per kg. It can be increased to 30 mg. Patients older than 16 years take the drug in amount of 1 g.

What may interact with Keppra?

Levetiracetam does not interact with anticonvulsants. Oral contraceptives, Warfarin, Digoxin, a heart medication did not affect the action of the drug.

It is better not to take alcohol in this case because its interaction with the drug can give an unpredictable effect.

What should I watch for while taking Keppra?

When you need to stop taking the drug it is necessary to carry out a gradual reduction in dose.

In kidney disease it is necessary before the treatment to conduct research of their functionality.

This antiepileptic drug medically differs from other medicines with similar chemical composition. The main impact component of the drug is Levetiracetam, its effect has not been studied yet to the end but it has been clinically proven that it does not disturb neurotransmission.

The effectiveness of the drug was confirmed in the treatment of focal epilepsy and its complicated stages: epileptiform manifestations. Based on the reviews about the drug Keppra the general condition of the patients improved in two days while taking the drug twice a day.

What side effects may I notice from Generic Keppra?

Like all medicines this antiepileptic drug can sometimes cause unwanted reactions. Among the most common side effects are:

• drowsiness;
• diplopia;
• asthenic syndrome;
• increased cough;
• abdominal pain;
• leukopenia;
• amnesia;
• neutropenia;
• dizziness;
• violation of accommodation;
• headache;
• nausea;
• aggressiveness;
• nervousness;
• tremor;
• rashes on the skin.

If you have symptoms such as drowsiness, depression of consciousness or respiratory depression, anxiety and other symptoms that have not been noticed before then it is recommended to do the following:

• In any way to induce vomiting and gastric lavage;
• Take adsorbing drugs;
• If you cannot do this or these procedures do not yield results immediately go to a hospital or call an ambulance!

Where can I keep Keppra?

For storage of the drug you need to choose a cold, dry place with a temperature less than 25, out reach of children!