Keppra

Brand Names

Keppra, Keppra XR

What is Keppra

Keppra is a medicine that is prescribed for treatment of certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy in combination with other medications. Keppra refers to a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain. Keppra is available as liquid and tablets.

Side effects of Keppra

Side effects of Keppra are the followings:

• drowsiness;
• weakness;
• unsteady walking;
• coordination problems;
• headache;
• pain;
• forgetfulness;
• anxiety;
• agitation or hostility;
• dizziness;
• moodiness;
• nervousness;
• numbness, burning or tingling in the hands or feet;
• loss of appetite;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• changes in skin color.

But if you have any of these serious symptoms it is necessary to visit your doctor immediately:

• depression;
• hallucinating (hearing voices or seeing visions that do not exist);
• thoughts of killing yourself;
• seizures that are worse or different than the seizures you had before;
• fever, sore throat, and other signs of infection;
• double vision;
• itching;
• rash;
• swelling of the face.

Indication

Keppra is prescribed for treatment of certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy in combination with other medications.

Precautions

Before using Keppra you should inform your doctor if you have:

• anemia or any other blood disorder;
• kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure);
• any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives.

Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dosage forms

Keppra dosing for myoclonic seizures in adults and teens age 12 and older

The recommended starting dose is 500 mg twice daily. The maximum dosage is 3000 mg total per day.

Keppra dosing for partial or grand mal seizures

For adults and teens age 16 and older the recommended dose is 500 mg twice daily. The maximum dosage is 3000 mg total per day.

For children age 6 months to 15 years old with partial seizures (or children age 6 years to 15 years old with grand mal seizures), the recommended dose depends on weight. Usually the starting dose is 10 mg per kg twice daily (about 4.5 mg per pound twice daily).

For infants age 1 month up to 6 months old with partial seizures, the recommended starting dosage also depends on weight and is usually 7 mg per kg twice daily (about 3.2 mg per pound twice daily).