Levetiracetam | Epilepsy clinician handbook
- Levetiracetam has a broad efficacy profile and can be useful in multiple seizure types (focal, generalised, myoclonic).
- Overall, side-effect profile is good, with minimal drug interactions.
- PBS indication is: Partial epileptic seizures
Clinical criteria:
- The condition must have failed to be controlled satisfactorily by other anti-epileptic drugs; OR
- Patient must be a woman of childbearing potential,
AND
- The treatment must not be given concomitantly with brivaracetam, except for cross titration.
Possible side effects
- Drowsiness or somnolence.
- Disturbed behaviour, agitation or emotional lability, or mood changes can occur. Aggressiveness may be as frequent as 1 in 5.
- Drug withdrawal must be strongly considered if suicidal ideation occurs.
- Rash is uncommon.
- Rarely, a neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or liver dysfunction may occur.
- All anti-seizure medications are potentially teratogenic and this is often dose related.
For a complete list of adverse effects, appropriate formularies should be consulted.
Interactions and precautions
There are minimal drug interactions.