Take levetiracetam only as directed by your doctor, to help your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not change your dose without checking first with your doctor.
Levetiracetam comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Levetiracetam may be taken with or without food or on a full or empty stomach. However, if your doctor tells you to take the medicine a certain way, take it exactly as directed. You should try to take levetiracetam at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet or the extended-release tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. There is an oral liquid form of levetiracetam if you or your child cannot swallow the tablets.
Elepsia™ XR extended-release tablet has a blue and white to off-white layer. If you do not see the blue or white, off-white layer, do not take the tablet.
A part of the tablet may also pass into your stool. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.
If you are using the Spritam® tablet or the Spritam® tablet for suspension, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet on your tongue and take a sip of water. After it has melted, swallow.
You may also add one whole Spritam® tablet for suspension to a small volume of liquid in a cup (1 tablespoon or enough to cover the medicine), and swirl gently. Swallow right away after it has dissolved. Then add a small volume of liquid to cup again, swirl gently, and swallow the liquid.
Measure the oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, dropper, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. If you have any questions about this, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Levetiracetam can be used with other seizure medicines. Keep using all of your seizure medicines unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Take only the form of levetiracetam that your doctor prescribed. If you refill your prescription and your pills look different, do not take the medicine and tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
Dosing
The dose of levetiracetam will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of levetiracetam. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
For treatment of partial-onset seizures:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older and weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—At first, 1000 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (Keppra® solution or tablets):
For partial onset seizures:
Adults and children 16 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children 4 to 15 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Children 6 months to 3 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 10 mg per kg of body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Children 1 to 5 months of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 7 mg per kg of body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 42 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Children younger than 1 month of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For juvenile myoclonic seizures:
Children 12 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures:
Adults and children 16 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children 6 to 15 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage forms (Spritam® tablets, Spritam® tablets for suspension):
For partial onset seizures:
Adults and children 4 years of age and older weighing over 40 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children 4 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 250 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1500 mg per day.
Children younger than 4 years of age and weighing less than 20 kg—Use is not recommended.
For juvenile myoclonic seizures:
Children 12 years of age and older—At first, 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures:
Adults and children 6 years of age and older weighing over 40 kilograms (kg)—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day.
Children 6 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual starting dose is 250 mg 2 times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 1500 mg per day.
Children younger than 6 years of age and weighing less than 20 kg—Use is not recommended.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of levetiracetam, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
 Detailed Levetiracetam dosage information
