INDICATIONS
Keppra is employed to deal with partial onset seizures in adults and youngsters who are at the very least 1 month old.
It is additionally used to take care of tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children who're no less than 6 yrs . old, and myoclonic seizures in older adults and children who will be a minimum of 12 years of age.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Keppra exactly as prescribed from your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts and over recommended. Follow the directions on your own prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally improve your dose to successfully obtain the best results.
Keppra is usually taken twice every day. Take the medicine concurrently daily. You may take Keppra with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine which has a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not which has a regular table spoon. If you do not have a very dose-measuring device, ask the pharmacist first.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill might cause too much of the drug to be sold at one time.
Use Keppra regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled when you run out of drugs completely.
Do not stop using Keppra without first actually talking to your medical professional, even though you feel awesome. You could have increased seizures if you stop employing this medicine suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you decide to stop the medication completely.
Seizures tend to be treated having a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed because of your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions given each medication. Do not improve your doses or medication schedule without your physician's advice. .
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card proclaiming that you're taking Keppra. Any medical care provider who treats you need to understand that you adopt seizure medication.
To make sure Keppra isn't causing harmful effects, your kidney function might need to be tested. Visit a medical expert regularly.
If you missed a dose - make missed dose whenever you remember. Skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your forthcoming scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to generate up 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 group, 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 body mass above 20 kg.
When using the oral solution in pediatric patients, dosing is weight-based (mg per kg) by using a calibrated measuring device (not just a household teaspoon or tablespoon).
Keppra tablets must be swallowed whole. Keppra tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
Pediatric Patients
Treatment needs to be initiated having a daily dose of 14 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (7 mg/kg two times a day). The daily dose needs to be increased every two weeks by increments of 14 mg/kg to the recommended daily dose of 42 mg/kg (21 mg/kg two times a day). In the clinical study, the mean daily dose was 35 mg/kg in this generation. The effectiveness of lower doses will not be studied.
Treatment should be initiated using a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 % divided doses (10 mg/kg two times a day). The daily dose must be increased in 2 weeks by an increment of 20 mg/kg on the recommended daily dose of 50 mg/kg (25 mg/kg twice daily). If a patient cannot tolerate a regular dose of 50 mg/kg, the daily dose could be reduced. In the medical trial, the mean daily dose was 47 mg/kg within this generation.
Treatment needs to be initiated with a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 % divided doses (10 mg/kg two times a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every two weeks by increments of 20 mg/kg on the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg two times a day). If a patient cannot tolerate a day-to-day dose of 60 mg/kg, the daily dose might 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 which has a daily dose of 500 mg given as twice daily dosing (250 mg twice daily). The daily dose ought to be increased every fourteen days by increments of 500 mg to a maximum recommended daily dose of 1500 mg (750 mg twice a day).
For Keppra tablet dosing in pediatric patients weighing over 40 kg, treatment needs to be initiated with a daily dose of 1000 mg/day given as twice a day dosing (500 mg twice a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every two 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 been shown to be effective. Although in a few studies there were a propensity toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies], a consistent surge in response to comprehend dose is not shown.
Treatment ought to be initiated with a daily dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two times a day). Additional dosing increments might be given (1000 mg/day additional every fourteen days) with a maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. Doses more than 3000 mg/day happen to be utilized in open-label studies for periods of half a year and longer. There is no evidence that doses in excess of 3000 mg/day confer additional benefit.
Myoclonic Seizures In Patients 12 Years of Age and Older With Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
Treatment must be initiated having a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two times 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 below 3000 mg/day is not studied.
Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Adults 16 Years And Older
Treatment should be initiated having a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg two times a day). Dosage must be increased by 1000 mg/day every 2 weeks to the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses under 3000 mg/day will not be adequately studied.
Pediatric Patients Ages 6 To < 16 Years
Treatment ought to be initiated having a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (10 mg/kg twice a day). The daily dose should be increased every 14 days by increments of 20 mg/kg on 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 weight ≤ 20 kg must be dosed with oral solution. Patients with weight above 20 kg could be dosed with either tablets or oral solution. Only whole tablets ought to be administered.
Adult Patients With Impaired Renal Function
Keppra dosing must be individualized according on 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 any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Keppra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your medical professional, for example: 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 once should you have a serious side-effect like:
Less serious Keppra unwanted effects may include:
This is just not a complete report on unwanted side effects and others may occur. Tell your physician about any unusual or bothersome unwanted effect.
You must avoid using Keppra if you are allergic to levetiracetam.
To be sure you can safely take Keppra, tell your medical professional if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Tell a medical expert in the event you have signs and symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first many weeks of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be attentive to changes with your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will have to check you at regular visits.
FDA pregnancy category C. It isn't known whether Keppra will harm an child, but having a seizure in pregnancy could harm both the mother along with the baby. Tell your doctor in the event you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant while applying this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra in pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Seizure control is critical when pregnant. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks resulting from taking Keppra. Follow your physician's instructions about taking Keppra while you are pregnant. Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Keppra. Do not give prescription drugs with a child without the advice of an doctor. Your child's dose needs depend on age and weight. The child should remain under the care of an doctor while employing this medicine.
Do not stop using Keppra without first actually talking to your medical professional, in case you feel awesome. You could possibly have increased seizures should you stop using Keppra suddenly. You should use less and less prior to deciding to stop the medication completely.
You might 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 medical professional, for example: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or in the event 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 on the grounds that you take Keppra. Any health care provider who treats you need to know that you are taking seizure medication.
Keppra may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful should you drive or do anything that will need you to be alert. Tell your medical professional in the event you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant while employing this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra during pregnancy without a medical expert's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm the two mother and also the baby. Seizure control is vital when pregnant and the great things about preventing seizures may outweigh any risks resulting from using Keppra.
Avoid alcohol consumption. It can increase some of the unwanted effects of Keppra and may even could also increase the risk of seizures. This medication may impair your notions or reactions. Be careful in case you drive or do anything that will need that you be alert.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days