Eleppra (Levetiracetam)

Dosage form:

Film coated tablets 250, 500, 750, 1000 mg

What is Eleppra (levetiracetam) used for?

• It is used to treat seizures.

Important notes before taking Eleppra (levetiracetam):

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have an allergy to levetiracetam or any other part of this drug.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have kidney disease or on dialysis.

Important notes while taking Eleppra (levetiracetam):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Eleppra (levetiracetam) affects you.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor
• If seizures are different or worse after starting this drug, talk with the doctor.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• As a safety precaution do not take Eleppra (levetiracetam) with alcohol.
• Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of seizures. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor if abnormal heartbeats have happened.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant or breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this drug.

Eleppra (levetiracetam) side effects:

Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat;
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there);
• Very bad dizziness;
• Change in balance and Trouble walking;
• Like other drugs that may be used for seizures, this drug may rarely raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions;
• A severe skin reaction (stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen;
• Low blood cell counts have happened with Eleppra (levetiracetam).

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak;
• Nose or throat irritation;
• Trouble sleeping;
• Headache;
• Vomiting;
• Not hungry;
• Flu-like signs.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If you have missed a dose within the first 6 hours of the scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember.

If you have missed a dose beyond the first 6 hours of the scheduled dose, do not take the missed tablet anymore. Instead take Eleppra (levetiracetam) at the next time that you would normally take it.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Protect from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs.