INDICATIONS
Keppra is utilized to take care of partial onset seizures in older adults and youngsters who're at the very least one month old.
It can be used to treat tonic-clonic seizures in adults and youngsters who're no less than 6 yrs . old, and myoclonic seizures in older adults and kids who are a minimum of 12 years of age.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Keppra the same manner prescribed from your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for more than recommended. Follow the directions on your own prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally alter your dose to make sure you acquire the best results.
Keppra is normally taken twice every day. Take the medicine as well daily. You may take Keppra with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine using a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a very dose-measuring device, ask your friendly phamacist for one.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause excessive drug to be removed previously.
Use Keppra regularly to have the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled when you run out of medication completely.
Do not stop using Keppra without first conversing with your physician, although you may feel fine. You could have increased seizures if you stop applying this medicine suddenly. You ought to use less and less before you decide to stop the medication completely.
Seizures in many cases are treated which has a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed because of your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. .
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card proclaiming that you adopt Keppra. Any health care provider who treats you need to understand that you take seizure medication.
To make sure Keppra isn't causing harmful effects, your kidney function might need to be tested. Visit your medical professional regularly.
If you missed a dose - take the missed dose when you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to produce inside the missed dose.
DOSAGE
Important Administration Instructions
Keppra is given orally with or without food. The Keppra dosing regimen is dependent upon the indication, age bracket, dosage form (tablets or oral solution), and renal function.
Prescribe the oral solution for pediatric patients with body mass ≤ 20 kg. Prescribe the oral solution or tablets for pediatric patients with bodyweight above 20 kg.
When while using 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 ought to be swallowed whole. Keppra tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
Pediatric Patients
Treatment should be initiated having a daily dose of 14 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (7 mg/kg twice a day). The daily dose must be increased every fourteen days by increments of 14 mg/kg to the recommended daily dose of 42 mg/kg (21 mg/kg twice daily). In the clinical study, the mean daily dose was 35 mg/kg on this age bracket. The effectiveness of lower doses hasn't been studied.
Treatment should be initiated using a daily dose of 20 mg/kg in 2 divided doses (10 mg/kg twice daily). The daily dose ought to be increased by 50 percent weeks by an increment of 20 mg/kg for the recommended daily dose of 50 mg/kg (25 mg/kg two times a day). If a patient cannot tolerate a regular dose of 50 mg/kg, the daily dose could be reduced. In the clinical study, the mean daily dose was 47 mg/kg within this age bracket.
Treatment ought to be initiated with a daily dose of 20 mg/kg in 2 divided doses (10 mg/kg two tmes a day). The daily dose must be increased every 14 days by increments of 20 mg/kg for the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg two tmes a day). If a patient cannot tolerate an everyday 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 a day dosing (250 mg twice a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every two weeks by increments of 500 mg to a maximum recommended daily dose of 1500 mg (750 mg two times a day).
For Keppra tablet dosing in pediatric patients weighing more than 40 kg, treatment ought to be initiated using a daily dose of 1000 mg/day given as twice a day dosing (500 mg twice a day). The daily dose must be increased every 2 weeks by increments of 1000 mg/day to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg (1500 mg twice a day).
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 confirmed to be effective. Although in most studies there is an inclination toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies], an even rise in response with additional dose will not be shown.
Treatment should be initiated having a daily dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two tmes a day). Additional dosing increments might be given (1000 mg/day additional every two weeks) with a maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. Doses more than 3000 mg/day are already used in open-label studies for periods of a few months and longer. There is no evidence that doses higher than 3000 mg/day confer additional benefit.
Myoclonic Seizures In Patients 12 Years of Age and Older With Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Treatment needs to be initiated having 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 14 days for the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses under 3000 mg/day will not be studied.
Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Adults 16 Years And Older
Treatment must be initiated having a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Dosage needs to be increased by 1000 mg/day every fourteen days for the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses lower than 3000 mg/day will not be adequately studied.
Pediatric Patients Ages 6 To < 16 Years
Treatment must be initiated using a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (10 mg/kg twice daily). The daily dose should be increased every 2 weeks by increments of 20 mg/kg towards the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg two times a day). The effectiveness of doses under 60 mg/kg/day is not adequately studied. Patients with body mass ≤ 20 kg needs to be dosed with oral solution. Patients with body mass above 20 kg could be dosed with either tablets or oral solution. Only whole tablets should 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-weight.
Get emergency medical help should you have all of these indications of a hypersensitivity to Keppra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your respective face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to a medical expert, including: 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 your physician immediately in the event you have a very serious complication including:
Less serious Keppra unwanted side effects can sometimes include:
This is not a complete report on negative effects yet others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side-effect.
You should avoid using Keppra in case you are allergic to levetiracetam.
To ensure you can safely take Keppra, tell your doctor should you have kidney disease or high blood pressure levels.
You could have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Tell your medical professional if you have symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts throughout the first several weeks of treatment, or as soon as your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be attentive to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will likely need to check you at regular visits.
FDA pregnancy category C. It isn't known whether Keppra will harm an developing fetus, but creating a seizure when pregnant could harm both the mother as well as the baby. Tell your physician if you are pregnant or prefer to get pregnant while applying this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra in pregnancy without your physician's advice. Seizure control is very important when 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 may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you're using Keppra. Do not give prescription drugs to a child devoid of the advice of the doctor. Your child's dose needs depend on age and weight. The child should remain underneath the care of your doctor while using this medicine.
Do not stop using Keppra without first speaking with your physician, in case you feel fine. You could possibly have increased seizures in the event you stop using Keppra suddenly. You may need to use less when you stop the medication completely.
You could possibly have thoughts about suicide while taking Keppra. Your doctor should check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to a medical expert, including: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or should 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 praoclaiming that you're taking Keppra. Any medical treatment provider who treats you should know that you adopt seizure medication.
Keppra may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful in the event you drive or a single thing that needs you to definitely be alert. Tell a medical expert should you are pregnant or prefer to become pregnant while applying this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure when pregnant could harm both the mother and the baby. Seizure control is vital in pregnancy and the advantages of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks presented by using Keppra.
Avoid having a drink. It can increase many of the unwanted side effects of Keppra and could may also increase the risk of seizures. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do just about anything that needs you to be alert.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days