Levepsy (Levetiracetam 500mg) Tablets

Levepsy general information

What is Levepsy used for?

Levepsy tablets 500mg are used to treat epilepsy, which is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by seizures or fits of various different types that can range from mild to severe.  Partial epilepsy is when the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised.  A local seizure may spread to become a generalised seizure, in which other parts of the brain are involved.  A generalised seizure covers a range of different types, including absences (formally known as petit mal), various forms of myoclonic epilepsy and tonic-clonic (formally known as grand mal) seizures.  Levepsy 500 is used alone as monotherapy for treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in newly diagnosed epilepsy in adults and adolescents (16 years and above).  Levepsy tablets 500mg are also used as add-on or adjunctive therapy to treat partial-onset epileptic seizures with or without secondary generalization in children (1 month of age and above), primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children (6 years of age and above), with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (of unknown cause with a genetic predisposition) and myoclonic epileptic seizures in adults and children (12 years of age and above).

How does Levepsy work?

Levepsy tablets 500mg contain levetiracetam, which is an anticonvulsant used to treat and prevent seizures in epilepsy.  Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters and for the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters and those that have a calming effect on nerve cells.  Levetiracetam in Levepsy 500 does not appear to work in the same way as other anti-epileptics as it does not act as a nerve cell membrane stabiliser to alter basic cell characteristics and normal neurotransmission.  Levetiracetam in Levepsy tablets 500mg binds to a protein inside nerve cells (neurones) called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A.  This protein is thought to be involved in the formation, fusion with the cell membrane, and release of vesicles, a process known as exocytosis, which is how neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neurone into the synapse between neurones.  Levetiracetam in Levepsy tablets 500mg also inhibits the voltage-dependent calcium channels in the post-synaptic neurones, which reduces the post-synaptic firing (nerve cell action potential) resulting in reduced transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  These mechanisms of action inhibit the repetitive or burst firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages responsible for seizure activity, without affecting normal neuronal excitability, which reduces the impulses that cause seizures and contributes to the anticonvulsant effects of Levepsy tablets 500mg.   

What does Levepsy contain?

Levepsy tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to treat and prevent seizures in epilepsy.

Treating epilepsy with Levepsy

Levepsy tablets 500mg contain levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy in adults and children.  Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by seizures or fits triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.  Levetiracetam in Levepsy tablets 500mg works, through several mechanisms of action, to reduce the repetitive firing of excitatory impulses that cause seizures and this contributes to the anticonvulsant effects of Levepsy tablets 500mg.   Epileptic seizures vary in type and range from mild to severe.  Partial epilepsy is when the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised, but may spread to become a generalised seizure, in which other parts of the brain are involved in the seizure.  Generalised seizures include absences (formally known as petit mal), myoclonic epilepsy and tonic-clonic (formally known as grand mal) seizures.  Levepsy 500 is used alone as monotherapy for treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in newly diagnosed epilepsy in adults and adolescents (16 years and above).  Levepsy tablets 500mg are also used as add-on or adjunctive therapy to treat partial-onset epileptic seizures with or without secondary generalization in children (1 month of age and above), primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children (6 years of age and above), and myoclonic epileptic seizures in adults and children (12 years of age and above)

What are the side effects of Levepsy?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Levepsy tablets 500mg include somnolence (sleepiness), dizziness, asthenia (fatigue), headache, infection, gastrointestinal upset, cough, mood changes (including depression, hostility, aggression), anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability.

When should Levepsy not be used?

You should not use Levepsy tablets 500mg if you:

• are allergic to levetiracetam or any ingredients in Levepsy
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have kidney or liver disease, without discussion with your doctor
• develop signs of depression with suicidal tendencies, as Levepsy increases risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour
• are taking medicines that interact with Levepsy including probenecid for gout and enzyme-inducing antiepileptics like carbamazepine

How should Levepsy be taken?

You should take your Levepsy tablets 500mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food twice daily, morning and evening at the same time each day.  The dose you take may be increased depending on how well you respond and your tolerance to side effects.  You should continue to take your Levepsy tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, even if you feel well as Levepsy tablets 500mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking your Levepsy tablets 500mg suddenly, you may make your condition worse.  If you are advised to stop taking Levepsy tablets 500mg your dose will be decreased slowly before you stop taking it altogether. 

How long should you take Levepsy?

You should continue to take your Levepsy tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, even if you feel well, as Levepsy tablets 500mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking your Levepsy tablets 500mg suddenly, you may make your condition worse. 

Missed dose of Levepsy

If you miss a dose of Levepsy tablets 500mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Levepsy be stored?

You should store your Levepsy tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place and protect from light.