LEVIPIL 500mg Tablet

Levetiracetam is an anti-epileptic drug, also known as anticonvulsant. It is prescribed for the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children who are at least 1 month old.

Levetiracetam is also given to treat tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children above 6 years of age and myoclonic seizures in adults and children above 12 years of age.

Levetiracetam is sold under various trade names, some of which are Keppra and Levipil (made by Sun Pharma). This medication may also be given for conditions not listed here.

Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s belongs to a group of medications known as ‘anti-convulsant’ primarily used to treat seizures (fits) due to epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic condition where the patients have repeated fits (convulsions).

Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits affect only one side of the brain, but could extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain.

Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s contains Levetiracetam, used in combination or alone for treating symptoms of epilepsy. It works by slowing down the abnormal signals which the brain gives, leading to episodes of seizures.

It helps by suppressing specific brain sites responsible for abnormal activity and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures. It reduces the episodes of seizures but does not cure epilepsy.

You can take Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s with food or without food.  Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will decide how often you should take Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s based on your medical condition.

In some cases, you may experience daytime drowsiness, disturbed sleep, light-headedness, or dizziness, sleepiness, general weakness, and unexplained infections.

Most of these side effects of Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.

It is not known if Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s is safe or effective in children below four years of age. Do not take Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s if you have any kidney disease, lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or a problem with alcohol or other prescription drugs.

It is not known if Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s will harm the foetus or not if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s affects you, as its intake may make you dizzy or sleepy.

Young children (especially less than 16 years) are more likely to develop behavioural changes like aggression than adults, so Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s should only be given under medical supervision to children.

Suddenly stopping Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremor, or general unwell feeling. Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused in some patients taking Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s, so pay attention to any sudden change in mood swings, behaviour, or feeling.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEVETIRACETAM:

Avoid taking Levetiracetam anti epileptic medication (Keppra, Levipil) if you are allergic to it. Do not discontinue the use of Levetiracetam without first consulting your doctor, even if you are alright as stopping this medication suddenly may result in increased seizures.

You may be advised to gradually decrease the amount of Levetiracetam medication before you stop taking in completely.

While taking Levetiracetam, you may get suicidal thoughts. You may require to be monitored periodically. Do not hesitate to go to your doctor for follow up checks as scheduled. Let your doctor know of any new or deteriorating symptoms like extreme mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, aggressiveness or feeling agitated, hostile, irritable, hyperactivity (mental and physical).

If possible, always wear or carry some kind of identity card or small display card that informs anyone that you are taking seizure medication. This can be helpful to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Levetiracetam may impact your thinking capability and reflexes which can make activities like driving difficult and intimidating. Be extra careful while indulging in such activities or keep them to minimum and do it when absolutely necessary while taking this medication.

Levetiracetam is an FDA pregnancy category C drug which means it is not known whether it can harm an unborn baby if taken while being pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant about the specific risks. Make note that a seizure during pregnancy can be detrimental for both mother and the baby.

Hence, seizure control is absolutely important during pregnancy. The benefits of taking this medication may be far greater than its dangers during pregnancy.

Always follow your doctor?s advice. Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and harm a breast feeding baby. Do not take this medication without proper medical advice if you are breast feeding.

BEFORE TAKING LEVETIRACETAM:

Before taking Levetiracetam anti epileptic medication (Keppra, Levipil), take care of all precautions mentioned above and discuss them with your doctor.

If you have kidney disease or high blood pressure, inform your doctor in advance about it so that he or she can judge if it is safe for you to take Levetiracetam on top of those conditions.

HOW DO I TAKE LEVETIRACETAM?

Take Levetiracetam (Keppra, Levipil) strictly according to your doctor?s direction or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take this medication after the prescribed period is over.

Levetiracetam is normally taken twice per day. You may take it with or without food. Avoid crushing, chewing, or breaking a controlled release, delayed release or extended release tablet. Instead swallow it whole otherwise it may lead to too much of the medication to be release at once.

Seizures or epileptic attacks are treated usually with a medley of different drugs. Take them as directed by your doctor. Your kidney may be tested frequently to make sure that Levetiracetam is not causing any harmful effects. Always store Levetiracetam in a cool and dry place.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose of Levetiracetam (Keppra, Levipil), take it as soon as you remember. Don?t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.

WHAT IF I OVERDOSE?

In case of an overdose of Levetiracetam, get emergency medical attention or call the Doctor Immediately. Overdose may lead to extreme drowsiness, agitation, aggression, shortness of breath, weakness, or fainting.

THINGS AND ACTIVITIES TO AVOID WHILE TAKING LEVETIRACETAM:

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Levetiracetam as it may increase the likelihood of side effects of this medication. Levetiracetam may impact your thinking capability and reflexes which can make activities like driving difficult and intimidating.

Be extra careful while indulging in such activities or keep them to minimum and do it when absolutely necessary while taking this medication. Read more

SIDE EFFECTS OF LEVIPIL 500MG:

RARE

Extreme Mood Or Behavior Changes
Depression
Anxiety
Aggressiveness Or Feeling Agitated
Hostile
Irritable

COMMON

Hallucinations
Muscle Weakness
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Appetite Loss
Stuffy Nose

SERIOUS

Hives
Rash
Itching Swelling In Face, Nose, Lips, Tongue Or Throat, Or Breathing Difficulty

LEVETIRACETAM DOSING INFORMATION:

Levetiracetam dosage will be fixed by your doctor after examining you properly. Dosage may depend on a range of factors like age, sex, drug allergies, or seriousness of the condition among several other factors. Stick to your doctor?s prescription strictly.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS:

Certain drugs can interact with Levetiracetam. Let your doctor know if you are using other drowsiness causing drugs like antihistamine drugs like cetrizine, diphenhydramine, or others; drugs for insomnia or anxiety like alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem or others; muscle relaxants, or narcotic pain killers like codeine, methadone or others.

The drugs mentioned here are not the only ones that can interact with Levetiracetam. There may be others as well. Share the list of all type of medications and related products which you are using with your doctor and never start a new medication without his or her advice.

Safety Advice

• 

  ALCOHOL

  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

  You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s to avoid unpleasant side-effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or sleepiness. It may also lead to a life-threatening condition like coma if taken with excessive alcohol.

• 

  PREGNANCY

  Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s is a Category C risk pregnancy drug that is considered unsafe for pregnant women. Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s can have some harmful effects on the baby (fetus), so your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.

• 

  BREAST FEEDING

  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

  Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s passes into the breast milk and may affect the health of the baby. So, keep your doctor informed if you’re planning to breastfeed while on this medication.

• 

  DRIVING

  CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

  Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s usually causes dizziness, drowsiness, and visual disturbances, which may affect their ability to drive or operate machinery. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s. Tell your doctor if you get these types of side effects.

• 

  LIVER

  Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.

• 

  KIDNEY

  Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disorders. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor. Do not give Levipil 500 Tablet 10’s to dialysis patients and kidney failure patients.