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Keppra (Levetiracetam) - Summary

 
 



KEPPRA SUMMARY

KEPPRA XR is an antiepileptic drug available as 500 mg and 750 mg (white) extended-release tablets for oral administration.

KEPPRA XR® is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in patients ≥12 years of age with epilepsy.


See all Keppra indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Keppra (Levetiracetam)

Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.09.19]
Title: Epilepsy & Seizures Quiz: What Causes Seizures?
Category: MedicineNet Quiz
Created: 2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2017 5:25:51 PM

Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Source: MedicineNet Seizure Specialty [2017.08.14]
Title: Pot Compound Alters Levels of Seizure Drug in Epilepsy Patients
Category: Health News
Created: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/14/2017 12:00:00 AM

Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Source: MedicineNet Brain Tumor Specialty [2017.08.11]
Title: Number of Americans With Epilepsy at Record Level
Category: Health News
Created: 8/10/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/11/2017 12:00:00 AM

Seizure (Epilepsy)
Source: MedicineNet Canavan Disease Specialty [2017.05.10]
Title: Seizure (Epilepsy)
Category: Symptoms and Signs
Created: 10/13/2003 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 5/10/2017 12:00:00 AM

Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Source: MedicineNet topiramate Specialty [2016.12.07]
Title: Marijuana Derivative May Curb Tough-to-Treat Epilepsy
Category: Health News
Created: 12/6/2016 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/7/2016 12:00:00 AM

more news >>

Published Studies Related to Keppra (Levetiracetam)

Levetiracetam in the treatment of alcohol dependence: toward the end of the story? [2012]
that levetiracetam may be efficient in alcohol-related disorder... CONCLUSIONS: By conducting a state-of-the-art randomized-controlled clinical

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of levetiracetam extended-release in very heavy drinking alcohol-dependent patients. [2012]
population of very heavy drinkers... CONCLUSIONS: This multisite clinical trial showed no efficacy for levetiracetam

Double-masked, placebo-controlled study of intravenous levetiracetam for the treatment of status epilepticus and acute repetitive seizures in dogs. [2012]
BACKGROUND: Status epilepticus (SE) and acute repetitive seizures (ARS) are common canine neurologic emergencies...

The anticonvulsant levetiracetam for the treatment of pain in polyneuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. [2011.07]
Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant which is assumed to act by modulating neurotransmitter release via binding to the vesicle protein SV2A. This could have an impact on signaling in the nociceptive system, and a pilot study indicated relief of neuropathic pain with levetiracetam. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the analgesic effect of levetiracetam in painful polyneuropathy... CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the anticonvulsant levetiracetam has no clinically relevant effect on painful polyneuropathy. Copyright (c) 2010 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Levetiracetam in the management of bipolar depression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2011.06]
CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam adjunctive therapy was not superior to placebo in the short-term treatment of subjects with depression with bipolar disorder in the population studied. (c) Copyright 2011 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.

more studies >>

Clinical Trials Related to Keppra (Levetiracetam)

Conversion to Monotherapy Study With Keppra XR for Partial Seizures [Completed]
The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of two doses of Keppra XR compared with a historical control as the placebo, in the monotherapy treatment of partial onset seizures.

IV Keppra in the Emergency Department for Prevention of Early Recurrent Seizures [Completed]
This study is looking at three seizure medicines. Patients with seizures are usually treated with phenytoin (Dilantin) or Fosphenytoin. These medicines can be given intravenously (IV)or by mouth. Another seizure medicine, levetiracetam (Keppra) can now be given this way also. This study will compare IV phenytoin (Dilantin) and IV fosphenytoin to levetiracetam (Keppra) in patients who have had a recent seizure. Only patients with a history of seizures can be involved. The patient must present to the emergency department within 4 hours of a seizure. The purpose of this study is to compare these three drugs, phenytoin (Dilantin), fosphenytoin, and levetiracetam (Keppra). The investigators are looking to see if these drugs can prevent another seizure in the next 24 hours. We are also looking for any possible side effects.

Long Term Follow-up Study With Keppra XR (Levetiracetam XR) for Partial Seizures [Completed]
To provide continued treatment of Keppra XR (Levetiracetam XR) and to assess the long term safety of Keppra XR in subjects with partial onset seizures.

Keppra for Cervical Dystonia [Suspended]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate if there is an improved response in CD symptoms when Keppra is used as adjunctive therapy to Botox.

Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam in Prevention of Alcohol Relapse in Recently Detoxified Alcohol Dependent Patients [Completed]
Prospective randomized double blind controlled trial in prevention of relapse in recently detoxified alcohol dependent patients with levetiracetam and placebo.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Keppra (Levetiracetam) Side Effects

Convulsion (219)Foetal Exposure During Pregnancy (96)Pregnancy (68)Somnolence (66)Maternal Exposure During Pregnancy (58)Thrombocytopenia (57)Status Epilepticus (47)Dizziness (45)Drug Ineffective (44)Headache (41)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 5 ratings/reviews, Keppra has an overall score of 6.60. The effectiveness score is 8.80 and the side effect score is 6.40. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Keppra review by 54 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Simple partial seizure
Dosage & duration:   250mg taken 2x daily for the period of On-going
Other conditions:   Asthma
Other drugs taken:   Singulair, Allegra, Albuterol, Flovent, Flonase
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The benefits of taking all these asthma medications is that I have been pretty much symptom free. The Flovent has been particularly helpful in preventing flareups of my symptoms which has greatly reduced the need for my Albuterol. The benefits of taking the Keppra is that I have only had one seizure episode since I began treatment in 2006. The episode lasted only seconds.
Side effects:   I have no side effects from taking my asthma medications. I experienced a lack of enery or just feeling tired when I first started taking the Keppra in the morning. I do not have that system any longer.
Comments:   I take my asthma medications daily and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. The same is true for my seizure medication.

 

Keppra review by care giver of 20 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   for epilepsy
Dosage & duration:   1500 mgs. a day taken twice a day for the period of still on it
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   klonopin (to aid effectiveness of Keppra)
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   We aren't sure. We wonder if it is really controlling the seizures at all. We are hoping our daughter can get testing to determine if her seizures are catamenial in nature. She was on carbatrol with complete control, but was switched to Keppra due to her upcoming marriage (much lower risk of birth defects and ability to use birth control pills while on it). She was completely weaned off of Carbatrol at one point and went almost 8 weeks with no seizure activity. She also went 5-1/2 months with no seizure activity with Keppra before having a tonic clonic seizure. Due to her history of seizures (started at the age of 14 a couple of months after she started her period), and the ability to go for long periods of time without problems, we wonder if she is having extreme spikes in estrogen when she ovulates from time to time. We hope that our neurologist will work with an endocrinologist and gynocologist to see if there is some validity to our theory. The goal is to get her back under complete control.
Side effects:   The main side effect we noticed with Keppra was weight loss. She dropped 20 lbs. in less than a month. She had a very suppressed appetite for the first 6 or 7 months. She has since gained back maybe 5 lbs. but continues to have a suppressed appetite just not as much as at first.
Comments:   She takes 3 pills in the morning upon waking and 2 pills at night before going to bed. She was taking 1 Klonopin pill but is now taking Lamictal and is gradually increasing the dosage. Her neurologist is weaning her off of Keppra and gradually moving her to Lamictal.

 

Keppra review by 38 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   grand mal seizures
Dosage & duration:   500mg. twice a day taken twice a day for the period of 6 yrs
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   seizures dissipated
Side effects:   brain fog, slurring, neurological switching, i.e, right hand dominant at times would switch to left, thyroid malfunction, high FSH levels and very early perimenopause, memory lapses, cognitive dysfunction
Comments:   Began with Keppra 1000mg..wasn't enough to control seizure activity - increased to 1500 mg per day and was non-functional. Reduced to 1000 mg per day and sought alternative methods..research by Harvard showed magnesium deficit in those with seizure disorders..began magnesium injections and increased essential fatty acids..through proper nutrition, supplementation and accupuncture, no more seizure medication and seizure free...do want to note that seizures began during the spraying of the neurotoxin anvil for the West Nile virus.

See all Keppra reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2017-09-19

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