Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Levetiracetam is an antiseizure
(antiepileptic) drug. Its mechanism of action is unknown, but it inhibits the
spread of seizure activity in the brain. In studies, addition of levetiracetam
to other antiseizure drugs reduced the frequency of
seizures more than placebo.
The FDA approved levetiracetam in November 1999.
STORAGE: Levetiracetam should be stored at 25 C (77 F). Brief storage at
15-30 C (59-86 F) is acceptable.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Levetiracetam is used in combination with other
antiseizure medications to treat myoclonic, partial onset, or tonic clonic
seizures in children and adults.
DOSING: The recommended daily dose of levetiracetam in adults is 3000
mg. Therapy is initiated with 1000 mg daily (500 mg twice daily) and increased
by 1000 mg/day every two weeks up to the maximum recommended dose of 3000
mg/day. Immediate release tablets, oral solution, and intravenous solutions are
administered twice daily, and extended release tablets are administered once
daily. The recommended daily dose for children is 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg twice
daily). Therapy is initiated with 20 mg/kg (10 mg/kg twice daily) and increased
by 20 mg/kg every two weeks until the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg is
reached.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:Probenecid
(Benemid) reduces the elimination of levetiracetam
by the kidneys, potentially doubling the concentration of levetiracetam in the
body. This could lead to side effects from probenecid.
PREGNANCY: Levetiracetam has not been adequately studied in pregnant
women. Levetiracetam is used during
pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the
potential risk to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: Levetiracetam is excreted in breast milk. To avoid
potential serious side effects in infants who are
breastfeeding mothers should
consider not breast-feeding while taking levetiracetam.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects associated with levetiracetam
include headache, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infection. Difficulty
walking or moving, hostility, irritability, mood swings, anxiety,
hallucinations, and delusions also have been associated with
levetiracetam. A small number of patients may experience a decrease in red or
white blood cell counts. Like other antiseizure medications, levetiracetam
should not be discontinued suddenly because of the risk of increased seizure
activity.
Antiepileptic medications have been associated
with increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior. Anyone
considering the use of antiepileptic drugs must balance this risk of suicide with the clinical need. Patients who are
started on therapy should be closely observed for clinical worsening, suicidal
thoughts, or unusual changes in behavior.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. Treatment of epilepsy (seizures) depends upon the cause and type of seizures experienced.
Seizures are divided into two categories: generalized and partial. Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the brain, while partial seizures are produced by electrical impulses in a small part of the brain. Seizure symptoms include unconsciousness, convulsions, and muscle rigidity.
Febrile seizures, or convulsions caused by fever in small children or infants can be frightening, however, in general are harmless. Febrile seizures is not epilepsy. It is estimated that one in every 25 children will have at least one febrile seizure. It is important to know what to do to help your child if he/she has a febrile seizure.
There are six types of generalized seizures. The most common and dramatic, and therefore the most well known, is the generalized convulsion, also called the grand-mal seizure. In this type of seizure, the patient loses consciousness and usually collapses. The loss of consciousness is followed by generalized body stiffening (called the "tonic" phase of the seizure) for 30 to 60 seconds, then by violent jerking (the "clonic" phase) for 30 to 60 seconds, after which the patient goes into a deep sleep (the "postictal" or after-seizure phase). During grand-mal seizures, injuries and accidents may occur, such as tongue biting and urinary incontinence.
Absence seizures cause a short loss of consciousness (just a few seconds) with few or no symptoms. The patient, most often a child, typically interrupts an activity and stares blankly. These seizures begin and end abruptly and may occur several times a day. Patients are usu...
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