Levetiracetam is used to help control certain types of seizures in the treatment of epilepsy. This medicine cannot cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to use it.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine 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.

This medicine 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 this medicine 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 this medicine 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.

This medicine 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 this medicine 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.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Aggressive or angry

anxiety

change in personality

chills

cough

crying

deep or fast breathing with dizziness

delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness

diarrhea

dry mouth

false or unusual sense of well-being

feeling of unreality

fever

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

hoarseness

irregular heartbeat

irritability

joint pain

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

mental depression

muscle aches and pains

nausea

numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth

painful or difficult urination

quick to react or overreact emotionally

rapidly changing moods

restlessness

sense of detachment from self or body

shaking

shivering

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

sweating

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Less common

Bloody nose

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

clumsiness or unsteadiness

discouragement

dizziness or lightheadedness

double vision

earache

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling sad or empty

increase in body movements

loss of bladder control

loss of memory

mood or mental changes

outburst of anger

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

problems with memory

redness or swelling in the ear

seizures

sensation of spinning

shakiness and unsteady walk

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

tightness of the chest

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

trouble concentrating

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Incidence not known

Attempts at killing oneself

being forgetful

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

blood in the urine or stools

bloody, black, or tarry stools

blurred vision

changes in vision

chest pain

constipation

dark urine

difficulty with moving

fast heartbeat

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

high fever

indigestion

itching

light-colored stools

muscle pains or stiffness

pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on the skin

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach pain, continuing

swollen glands

swollen joints

thoughts or attempts at killing oneself

trouble with balance

twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

uncontrolled jerking or twisting movements of the hands, arms, or legs

uncontrolled movements of the lips, tongue, or cheeks

unexplained bleeding or bruising

unusual bleeding or bruising

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

weight loss

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Loss of strength or energy

muscle pain or weakness

pain

tender, swollen glands in the neck

trouble swallowing

unusual weak feeling

voice changes

Less common

Body aches or pain

burning, dry, or itching eyes

change in the color of the skin

congestion

cough increased

sneezing

Incidence not known

Hair loss or thinning of the hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits, especially for the first few months you or your child are using this medicine. This is necessary to allow dose adjustments and to reduce any unwanted effects.

Levetiracetam may cause changes in mood or behavior, problems with coordination, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child start to feel depressed, anxious, angry, getting upset easily, restless, or have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behavior that trouble you, especially if they are new or getting worse quickly.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, tired, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

Do not stop using levetiracetam without first checking with your doctor. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause your seizures to return or to occur more often. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.