Levetiracetam Sandoz
Levetiracetam Sandoz is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat epileptic seizures.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
1000 mg
Active Ingredient
Levetiracetam
Manufacturer
Sandoz A/S
How to Use
Dosage
The typical dose for adults and adolescents (12-17 years, weighing 50 kg or more) is 1000 mg to 3000 mg per day.
Method
Take tablets whole with a glass of water, with or without food, twice a day (morning and evening) around the same time. Tablets can be divided.
Important
Do not exceed 3000 mg per day.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Inflammation of the nose or throat (cold-like symptoms)
- •Feeling sleepy or tired
- •Headache
- •Not wanting to eat (loss of appetite)
- •Depression, hostility, aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, or irritability
- •Convulsion (seizures), balance disorder, dizziness (feeling unsteady), lethargy (lack of energy), tremor (uncontrolled shaking)
- •Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •Cough
- •Abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting, nausea
- •Skin rash
- •Feeling weak or tired
RARE
- •Decreased platelet count, white blood cell count, or all types of blood cells
- •Weight loss or gain
- •Suicide attempt/thoughts, mental disorder, abnormal behavior, hallucination, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood swings, agitation, personality disorders (behavioral problems), abnormal thinking (slow thinking, difficulty concentrating), delirium, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- •Memory loss, impaired memory, muscle coordination disorder/clumsiness, tingling sensation (paresthesia), attention disturbance (difficulty concentrating), encephalopathy (brain disorder)
- •Double vision, blurred vision
- •Increased/abnormal liver function test values, liver failure, hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- •Hair loss, eczema, itching, severe skin reactions (erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis)
- •Muscle weakness, muscle pain, uncontrolled muscle jerking of head, torso and limbs, involuntary movements, hyperactivity, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), limping or difficulty walking, combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, reduced consciousness (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- •Injury
- •Infection
- •Low sodium levels in the blood
- •Seizures may worsen or occur more often
- •Change in heart rhythm (visible on ECG)
- •Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- •Sudden worsening of kidney function
Important Warnings
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to levetiracetam or any other ingredients.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
- If you notice slowed growth or unexpected puberty in a child, contact their doctor.
- If you experience symptoms of depression or thoughts of self-harm/suicide, talk to your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor if you or your family have a history of irregular heart rhythm or conditions that affect heart rhythm or salt balance.
Show 9 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you experience unusual thoughts, irritability, aggression, or significant changes in mood or behavior.
- Seizures may worsen or happen more often, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. Contact your doctor if this happens.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice, as it may increase the number of seizures.
- Seek immediate medical help if you have weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or trouble breathing (signs of a severe allergic reaction).
- Seek immediate medical help if you have swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Seek immediate medical help if you have flu-like symptoms, a spreading rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, or signs of other organ problems (DRESS syndrome).
- Seek immediate medical help if you have little urine, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or swelling in your legs/feet (signs of sudden kidney problems).
- Seek immediate medical help if you develop a skin rash with blisters that look like targets (erythema multiforme), widespread blistering and peeling skin around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), or severe skin peeling over more than 30% of your body (toxic epidermal necrolysis).
- Seek immediate medical help if you or others notice severe changes in your mental state like confusion, drowsiness, memory problems, unusual behavior, or uncontrolled movements (signs of a brain disorder).
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Sedative. Reduce the dose already in mild renal impairment. Consider possibility of mental disorders. (updated 6.10.2025)