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Keppra Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Levetiracetam

LEVETIRACETAM (Keppra®) medicine is used to control partial seizures (convulsions). Levetiracetam is also used with other medications that also help to control the convulsions. Levetiracetam may also be used to control other types of seizures. You can also used keppra with other seizure medicines to help control seizures. Partial seizures, which are the most common type of seizures in adults, may be characterized by impaired consciousness, loss of awareness, involuntary motor behaviors, and other non-conscious, involuntary events. For physicians and patients, the attraction of Keppra is that it increases seizure control without adverse interaction with co-administered antiepileptic drugs.

Keppra Dosage

• The usual starting dosage, you should take 500 milligrams twice a day for adults and children over 16.
• Your doctor can increases the dosage every 2 weeks upto 1,500 milligrams twice a day. Your dosage may be lower If you have kidney disease.

Uses of Keppra

• Keppra is used to control seizures. The exact way that it works is unknown.
• Keppra may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Keppra

When you are using Keppra medicines, then possible side effects may occur. The following are some of the side effects that are known and may be associated with this medicine. Side effects may include:

• Sleepiness (somnolence)
• Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)
• Dizziness or loss of balance
  
• Headache
• Unstable moods (emotional lability)
• Hostility
• Nervousness
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of memory (amnesia)
• Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)
• Hyperactivity
• Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
• Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
• Depression
• Personality disorders
• Abnormal thinking or behaviour
• Gut disturbances such as diarrhoea, nausea, indigestion
• Double vision
• Rash
• Hair loss
• Disturbances in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood

Warnings and precautions before taking Keppra:

• After taking the keppra medicine, do not perform any activities where you have to need alertness such as drive or operate machinery because this medicine may reduce your ability.
• Do not stop taking this medicine immediately without talking to your doctor or even you fell better, otherwise it may result in your seizures returning or getting worse.
• After taking this medicine you will feel sleepy, dizzy or drowsy, especially during the first month of treatment. So becareful.
• Keppra medicine may decrease your ability to cope with daily life activites.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking any other drugs with Keppra medicine, then first consult to your doctor. Do not start any drugs with Keppra medicine without talking to your doctor. Because drugs that you are taking with Keppra may reduce the effect of medicine or cause to the other serious effects. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Keppra with the following drugs such as include:

• antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)
• anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine)
• medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem)
• muscle relaxants
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine)
• psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Overdose

Symptoms of a Keppra overdose are unknown but might include drowsiness. Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you feel the overdose is suspected, contact to your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Keppra overdose may include:

• Aggression agitation
• coma
• drowsiness
• reduced consciousness
• slowed breathing

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