INDICATIONS
Keppra is employed to help remedy partial onset seizures in older adults and children who're no less than 1 month old.
It is also used to deal with tonic-clonic seizures in grown-ups and children who're at least 6 years old, and myoclonic seizures in older adults and children that are no less than 12 years old.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Keppra exactly as prescribed through your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or over recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure that you acquire the best results.
Keppra is normally taken twice every day. Take the medicine concurrently every day. You may take Keppra with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine having a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not using a regular table spoon. If you do not use a dose-measuring device, ask the pharmacist for starters.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill could cause excessive drug to be released previously.
Use Keppra regularly to find the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled when you run out of drugs completely.
Do not stop using Keppra without first talking to your physician, even though you feel great. You could have increased seizures should you stop using this medicine suddenly. You ought to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Seizures will often be treated having a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed from your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not make positive changes to doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. .
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card praoclaiming that you're taking Keppra. Any medical treatment provider who treats you should know that you adopt seizure medication.
To be sure Keppra just isn't causing harmful effects, your kidney function ought to be tested. Visit your medical professional regularly.
If you missed a dose - go ahead and take missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose whether it is almost time for your upcoming scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to produce the missed dose.
DOSAGE
Important Administration Instructions
Keppra emerged orally with or without food. The Keppra dosing regimen is determined by the indication, population, dosage form (tablets or oral solution), and renal function.
Prescribe the oral solution for pediatric patients with weight ≤ 20 kg. Prescribe the oral solution or tablets for pediatric patients with weight above 20 kg.
When while using the oral solution in pediatric patients, dosing is weight-based (mg per kg) using a calibrated measuring device (not really a household teaspoon or tablespoon).
Keppra tablets should be swallowed whole. Keppra tablets mustn't be chewed or crushed.
Pediatric Patients
Treatment needs to be initiated with a daily dose of 14 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (7 mg/kg twice a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every 14 days by increments of 14 mg/kg for the recommended daily dose of 42 mg/kg (21 mg/kg twice a day). In the clinical study, the mean daily dose was 35 mg/kg within this population. The effectiveness of lower doses hasn't been studied.
Treatment must be initiated using a daily dose of 20 mg/kg into two divided doses (10 mg/kg two tmes a day). The daily dose ought to be increased in 2 weeks by an increment of 20 mg/kg towards the recommended daily dose of 50 mg/kg (25 mg/kg two times a day). If a patient cannot tolerate a daily dose of 50 mg/kg, the daily dose could possibly be reduced. In the medical trial, the mean daily dose was 47 mg/kg within this population.
Treatment ought to be initiated which has a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (10 mg/kg twice daily). The daily dose ought to be increased every two weeks by increments of 20 mg/kg towards the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg twice a day). If a patient cannot tolerate a regular dose of 60 mg/kg, the daily dose may be reduced. In the clinical efficacy trial, the mean daily dose was 44 mg/kg. The maximum daily dose was 3000 mg/day.
For Keppra tablet dosing in pediatric patients weighing 20 to 40 kg, treatment should be initiated with a daily dose of 500 mg given as twice daily dosing (250 mg twice daily). The daily dose should be increased every 14 days by increments of 500 mg to some maximum recommended daily dose of 1500 mg (750 mg twice daily).
For Keppra tablet dosing in pediatric patients weighing a lot more than 40 kg, treatment needs to be initiated with a daily dose of 1000 mg/day given as twice daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). The daily dose needs to be increased every fourteen days by increments of 1000 mg/day to some maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg (1500 mg twice daily).
Partial Onset Seizures
Adults 16 Years And Older
In many studies, daily doses of 1000 mg, 2000 mg, and 3000 mg, given as twice-daily dosing were been shown to be effective. Although in a few studies there was clearly an inclination toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies], an even boost in response with increased dose hasn't been shown.
Treatment should be initiated using a daily dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice a day). Additional dosing increments could possibly be given (1000 mg/day additional every two weeks) to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. Doses more than 3000 mg/day happen to be employed in open-label studies for periods of half a year and longer. There is no evidence that doses greater than 3000 mg/day confer additional benefit.
Myoclonic Seizures In Patients 12 Years of Age and Older With Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Treatment must be initiated with a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two tmes a day). Dosage must be increased by 1000 mg/day every fourteen days to the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses below 3000 mg/day will not be studied.
Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Adults 16 Years And Older
Treatment should be initiated using a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two tmes a day). Dosage ought to be increased by 1000 mg/day every fourteen days for the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses less than 3000 mg/day will not be adequately studied.
Pediatric Patients Ages 6 To < 16 Years
Treatment needs to be initiated having a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (10 mg/kg two times a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every 2 weeks by increments of 20 mg/kg for the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg two times a day). The effectiveness of doses below 60 mg/kg/day hasn't been adequately studied. Patients with bodyweight ≤ 20 kg should be dosed with oral solution. Patients with body mass above 20 kg may be dosed with either tablets or oral solution. Only whole tablets needs to be administered.
Adult Patients With Impaired Renal Function
Keppra dosing have to be individualized according to the patient's renal function status.
STORAGE
Store Keppra at room temperature from moisture, heat, and light.
Get emergency medical help in case you have all of these warning signs of a hypersensitivity to Keppra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your physician, like: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or in case you feel agitated, hostile, irritable, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call a medical expert at the same time should you use a serious side effect for example:
Less serious Keppra negative effects might include:
This just isn't a complete list of negative effects while others may occur. Tell a medical expert about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
You should avoid using Keppra should you are allergic to levetiracetam.
To ensure you can safely take Keppra, tell your doctor in case you have kidney disease or high blood pressure levels.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Tell your medical professional if you have signs of depression or suicidal thoughts in the first weeks of treatment, or when your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be tuned in to changes inside your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will likely need to check you at regular visits.
FDA pregnancy category C. It just isn't known whether Keppra will harm an developing fetus, but developing a seizure in pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor in the event you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant while applying this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra when pregnant without your physician's advice. Seizure control is critical while pregnant. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by taking Keppra. Follow your doctor's instructions about taking Keppra if you are pregnant. Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and might harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed when you are using Keppra. Do not give prescription drugs to some child with no advice of the doctor. Your child's dose needs are based on age and weight. The child should remain within the care of an doctor while employing this medicine.
Do not stop using Keppra without first conversing with your physician, even though you feel awesome. You could have increased seizures in the event you stop using Keppra suddenly. You may need to use much less before you decide to stop the medication completely.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Keppra. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your physician, like: 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 are taking Keppra. Any health care provider who treats you need to understand that you're taking seizure medication.
Keppra may impair your notions or reactions. Be careful should you drive or do anything that will need you to definitely be alert. Tell a medical expert in case you are pregnant or prefer to conceive while using this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra in pregnancy without your medical professional's advice. Having a seizure while pregnant could harm both the mother and also the baby. Seizure control is critical when pregnant and the great things about preventing seizures may outweigh any risks posed by using Keppra.
Avoid having a drink. It can increase a number of the side effects of Keppra and might also increase the potential risk of seizures. This medication may impair your opinions or reactions. Be careful should you drive or a single thing that requires you to be alert.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days
Airmail: 2-3 weeks, EMS: 3-8 business days.