About levetiracetam
Antiseizure medicine
Used for
- Treats focal seizures
- Treats myoclonic seizures
- Treats generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Usual adult dose
Usually 500 mg twice daily; doses may be increased to 1,500 mg twice daily.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 4 years and older, dosing is weight-based, usually 10 mg/kg twice daily initially; maximum 30 mg/kg twice daily.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness and dizziness
- Tiredness or weakness
- Irritability, mood changes, or aggression
- Infections
Important warnings
- Do not stop suddenly; seizures may worsen.
- Seek urgent help for suicidal thoughts or severe mood changes.
- Rarely causes serious allergic reactions or severe skin reactions.
- Dose may need adjustment with kidney problems.
Pregnancy
May be used when needed, but seizure control and treatment risks should be reviewed with a clinician.
Breastfeeding
Passes into breast milk; monitor the infant for sleepiness, poor feeding, or inadequate weight gain.
Interactions
- Few important interactions; some medicines can affect levetiracetam levels.
- Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.