Keppra Special Precautions

Discontinuation: If levetiracetam has to be discontinued it is recommended to withdraw it gradually (e.g. in adults and adolescents weighing more than 50kg: 500 mg decreases twice daily every two to four weeks; in children and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg: dose decrease should not exceed 10 mg/kg twice daily every two weeks).
Renal or Hepatic Impairment: The administration of levetiracetam to patients with renal impairment may require dose adjustment. In patients with severely impaired hepatic function, assessment of renal function is recommended before dose selection.
Depression and/or Suicidal Ideation: Suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents (including levetiracetam). A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of anti-epileptic medicinal products has shown a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The mechanism of this risk is not known.
Therefore patients should be monitored for signs of depression and/or suicidal ideation and behaviours and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of depression and/or suicidal ideation or behaviour emerge.
Paediatric Population: The tablet formulation is not adapted for use in infants and children under the age of 6 years.
Available data in children did not suggest impact on growth and puberty. However, long term effects on learning, intelligence, growth, endocrine function, puberty and childbearing potential in children remain unknown.
Excipients: Film-coated tablets: Supplier 2: Levetiracetam 750 mg film-coated tablets contain sunset yellow lake (E110) colouring agent which may cause allergic reactions.
Oral solution: Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml oral solution includes methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
It also includes maltitol liquid; patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicinal product.
It contains glycerol which may cause headache, stomach upset and diarrhoea.
Solution for infusion: The medicinal product contains 2.5 mmol (or 57 mg) sodium per maximum single dose (0.83 mmol or 19 mg per vial). It should be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.
Ability to Perform Tasks that Require Judgement, Motor or Cognitive Skills: Levetiracetam has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Due to possible different individual sensitivity, some patients might experience somnolence or other central nervous system related symptoms, especially at the beginning of treatment or following a dose increase. Therefore, caution is recommended in those patients when performing skilled tasks, e.g. driving vehicles or operating machinery. Patients are advised not to drive or use machines until it is established that their ability to perform such activities is not affected.
Use in Pregnancy: Levetiracetam is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception unless clearly necessary.
Postmarketing data from several prospective pregnancy registries have documented outcomes in over 1000 women exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy during the first trimester of pregnancy. Overall, these data do not suggest a substantial increase in the risk for major congenital malformations, although a teratogenic risk cannot be completely excluded. Therapy with multiple antiepileptic medicinal products is associated with a higher risk of congenital malformations than monotherapy and, therefore, monotherapy should be considered. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity.
Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect levetiracetam concentration. Decrease in levetiracetam plasma concentrations has been observed during pregnancy. This decrease is more pronounced during the third trimester (up to 60% of baseline concentration before pregnancy). Appropriate clinical management of pregnant women treated with levetiracetam should be ensured. Discontinuation of antiepileptic treatments may result in exacerbation of the disease which could be harmful to the mother and the foetus.
Use in Lactation: Levetiracetam is excreted in human breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended.
However, if levetiracetam treatment is needed during breastfeeding, the benefit/risk of the treatment should be weighed considering the importance of breastfeeding.