INDICATIONS
Keppra is employed to help remedy partial onset seizures in older adults and youngsters who are at least one month old.
It can be used to deal with tonic-clonic seizures in adults and youngsters that are at least 6 yrs . old, and myoclonic seizures in grown-ups and children who will be a minimum of 12 years old.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take Keppra the same manner prescribed because of your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts and longer than recommended. Follow the directions in your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally improve your dose to make sure you obtain the best results.
Keppra is often taken twice per day. Take the medicine as well daily. You may take Keppra with or without food.
Measure liquid medicine which has a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not having a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your friendly phamacist first.
Do not crush, chew, or break a controlled release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill could potentially cause a lot of drug to be sold at once.
Use Keppra regularly to find the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled when you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop using Keppra without first conversing with your physician, even though you feel awesome. You may have increased seizures in the event you stop employing this medicine suddenly. You should use much less when you stop the medication completely.
Seizures in many cases are treated using a combination of different drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions given each medication. Do not improve your doses or medication schedule without your medical professional's advice. .
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card on the grounds that you adopt Keppra. Any medical care provider who treats you have to know that you are taking seizure medication.
To be certain Keppra just isn't causing harmful effects, your kidney function might need to be tested. Visit a medical expert regularly.
If you missed a dose - take the missed dose when you remember. Skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your forthcoming scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to generate in the missed dose.
DOSAGE
Important Administration Instructions
Keppra emerges orally with or without food. The Keppra dosing regimen depends upon the indication, age bracket, dosage form (tablets or oral solution), and renal function.
Prescribe the oral solution for pediatric patients with weight ≤ 20 kg. Prescribe the oral solution or tablets for pediatric patients with body weight above 20 kg.
When while using the oral solution in pediatric patients, dosing is weight-based (mg per kg) utilizing a calibrated measuring device (not really a household teaspoon or tablespoon).
Keppra tablets should be swallowed whole. Keppra tablets should not be chewed or crushed.
Pediatric Patients
Treatment should be initiated with a daily dose of 14 mg/kg in 2 divided doses (7 mg/kg two tmes a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every 2 weeks by increments of 14 mg/kg towards 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 on this population. The effectiveness of lower doses is not studied.
Treatment ought to be initiated which has a daily dose of 20 mg/kg in 2 divided doses (10 mg/kg twice a day). The daily dose should be increased in 2 weeks by an increment of 20 mg/kg on the recommended daily dose of 50 mg/kg (25 mg/kg two tmes a day). If a patient cannot tolerate an everyday dose of 50 mg/kg, the daily dose might be reduced. In the clinical study, the mean daily dose was 47 mg/kg within this population.
Treatment should be initiated which has a daily dose of 20 mg/kg into two divided doses (10 mg/kg two times a day). The daily dose needs to be increased every two weeks 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 a regular 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 needs to be initiated using a daily dose of 500 mg given as two times a day dosing (250 mg two times a day). The daily dose must be increased every 14 days by increments of 500 mg to your 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 needs to be initiated having a daily dose of 1000 mg/day given as twice daily dosing (500 mg twice a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every 14 days by increments of 1000 mg/day to your maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg (1500 mg two times a day).
Partial Onset Seizures
Adults 16 Years And Older
In numerous studies, daily doses of 1000 mg, 2000 mg, and 3000 mg, given as twice-daily dosing were proved to be effective. Although in a few studies there was clearly a tendency toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies], a frequent increase in response with an increase of dose has not been 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 may be given (1000 mg/day additional every 2 weeks) to some maximum recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. Doses greater than 3000 mg/day happen to be found in open-label studies for periods of 6 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 with a dose of 1000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice a day). Dosage needs 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 twice a day). Dosage must be increased by 1000 mg/day every two weeks towards the recommended daily dose of 3000 mg. The effectiveness of doses lower than 3000 mg/day is not adequately studied.
Pediatric Patients Ages 6 To < 16 Years
Treatment needs to be initiated using a daily dose of 20 mg/kg by 50 percent divided doses (10 mg/kg two tmes a day). The daily dose ought to be increased every 2 weeks by increments of 20 mg/kg for the recommended daily dose of 60 mg/kg (30 mg/kg two tmes a day). The effectiveness of doses under 60 mg/kg/day has not been adequately studied. Patients with body mass ≤ 20 kg ought to be dosed with oral solution. Patients with body mass above 20 kg might 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 towards the patient's renal function status.
STORAGE
Store Keppra at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light-weight.
Get emergency medical help should you have all of these warning signs of a hypersensitivity to Keppra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of one's face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to a medical expert, including: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, irritable, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call a medical expert immediately if you have a very serious unwanted effect like:
Less serious Keppra unwanted effects might include:
This is not a complete listing of side effects yet others may occur. Tell a medical expert about any unusual or bothersome complication.
You should avoid using Keppra in the event you are allergic to levetiracetam.
To be sure to can safely take Keppra, tell your medical professional in the event you have kidney disease or blood pressure.
You could possibly have thoughts about suicide while investing in this medicine. Tell a medical expert if you have signs and symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during the first many weeks of treatment, or once your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be tuned in to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor should check you at regular visits.
FDA pregnancy category C. It just isn't known whether Keppra will harm an baby, but having a seizure when pregnant could harm both mother and the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant while employing this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra during pregnancy without a medical expert's advice. Seizure control is essential when pregnant. The benefit of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks resulting from taking Keppra. Follow your physician's instructions about taking Keppra when you are pregnant. Levetiracetam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using Keppra. Do not give medicines to your child with no advice of the doctor. Your child's dose needs provide age and weight. The child should remain underneath the care of the doctor while by using this medicine.
Do not stop using Keppra without first actually talking to your physician, although you may feel awesome. You might have increased seizures in the event you stop using Keppra suddenly. You ought to use less and less before you decide to stop the medication completely.
You could have thoughts about suicide while taking Keppra. Your doctor will have to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to a medical expert, for example: 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 adopt Keppra. Any medical care provider who treats you have to know that you take seizure medication.
Keppra may impair your opinions or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires one to be alert. Tell your physician in case you are pregnant or prefer to conceive while by using this medication. Do not start or stop taking Keppra when pregnant without your physician's advice. Having a seizure when pregnant could harm the mother along with the baby. Seizure control is very important when pregnant and also the benefits of preventing seizures may outweigh any risks presented by using Keppra.
Avoid alcohol consumption. It can increase a number of the unwanted side effects of Keppra and may can also increase the risk of seizures. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful in the event you drive or do anything that needs one to be alert.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days