Dealing with sudden seizures or epilepsy can feel overwhelming for you and your family. If your doctor has prescribed a medicine called levetiracetam, especially the special soluble tablet known by the brand name Spritam, you might have questions about how it works and how to take it safely. Let us walk through everything you need to know in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain, causing sudden bursts of electrical activity that lead to seizures. While this can sound frightening, modern medicines make it possible to manage seizures and live a full, active life. This guide will help you understand your prescription, follow daily routines safely, and recognize when to call your doctor.
Key Takeaways.
- Levetiracetam helps calm abnormal electrical activity in your brain to prevent seizures.
- Soluble tablets dissolve quickly on your tongue or in a small amount of liquid before swallowing.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
- Watch closely for mood changes, unusual skin rashes, or extreme dizziness, and report them right away.
What is This Medicine Used For?
Simply put, levetiracetam is an anti-seizure medicine used to help control and prevent epileptic seizures. It works by calming down overactive nerve cells in your brain. This helps reduce sudden shaking spells, loss of consciousness, and other seizure symptoms.
Your doctor might also prescribe this medicine for other medical reasons not listed here. If you have any questions about why you are taking it, always ask your doctor or pharmacist for clear guidance.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting This Medicine.
Before you take your first dose of levetiracetam, you need to share your complete medical history with your doctor or healthcare team. This information keeps you safe and helps your doctor choose the right plan for you:
- Tell your doctor if you have any kidney disease or kidney problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had thoughts of suicide, depression, or if anyone in your family has experienced mental health struggles.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to levetiracetam, or any other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or trying to start a family.
- Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Sharing these details protects your health and ensures the medicine works effectively for your unique body.
How to Use This Medicine Correctly.
Because this is a special disintegrating tablet that melts in your mouth, you need to follow specific steps when taking it. Pay close attention to these instructions:
- Take this medicine with a swallow of water exactly as directed on your prescription label.
- Keep the tablet inside its sealed blister pack until you are completely ready to take it. Do not open the pack in advance.
- Make sure your hands are completely dry before you touch the tablet. Never handle it with wet hands.
- Gently peel back the foil on the blister pack to remove the tablet. Never push the tablet directly through the foil, because these delicate tablets will break easily.
- Place the tablet right on your tongue. It will quickly begin to dissolve. Then, swallow it with a sip of water.
- Alternatively, you can place the tablet in a small cup of water, let it dissolve completely, stir it gently, and drink the entire liquid mixture right away. Make sure you drink every drop to get your full dose.
- You can take this medicine either with food or on an empty stomach. Both ways are completely fine.
- Take your exact dose at the exact same times every day. Do not take more medicine than your doctor prescribed, and do not take it more often.
- Most importantly, never stop taking this medicine or your other seizure treatments suddenly without talking to your doctor. Stopping abruptly can make your seizures return with greater frequency or severity.
When you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, you will receive a special medicine Guide. Read this guide carefully every time you refill your prescription, because it contains important updates and safety details.
If you are giving this medicine to a child, talk with your pediatrician first. While levetiracetam is prescribed for children as young as four years old for certain conditions, pediatric dosing requires careful medical supervision.
What should you do if you take too much medicine?
If you believe you or someone else has taken too much levetiracetam, contact your local poison control center or go to the nearest emergency department right away. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
One final rule: This medicine was prescribed specifically for you. Never share your medicine with anyone else under any circumstances.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose.
Missing a dose can happen to anyone. If you miss a scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regular dose, skip the missed dose completely and stick to your normal schedule. Never take two doses at the exact same time to make up for a missed one.
Substances and medicines That Interact With This Medicine.
Certain medicines and substances can interact with levetiracetam, changing how the medicine works in your body. Examples of interacting substances include:
- Carbamazepine .
- Colesevelam .
- Probenecid .
- Sevelamer .
This list does not include every possible interaction. Therefore, you must give your doctor a complete list of everything you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, and dietary supplements. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs, because these can affect your treatment.
Important Precautions While Taking This Medicine.
While you take levetiracetam, you need to pay extra attention to your daily habits and overall well-being.
- Visit your doctor regularly for checkups so they can monitor your progress and adjust your treatment if needed.
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or carry an emergency card stating that you have epilepsy and listing your medicines. This can save your life in an emergency.
- Be aware that this medicine can cause serious skin reactions weeks or months after starting treatment. If you develop a skin rash with fever, red or purple spots, blistering, peeling skin, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling in your face and lips, contact your doctor right away.
- Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. It may take several weeks or months for your doctor to find the most stable dose for your body. If your seizures get worse or you experience new types of seizures, call your doctor right away.
- Levetiracetam can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do dangerous tasks until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand up or sit down slowly, especially if you are an older adult, to prevent dizzy spells and dangerous falls.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, because alcohol can interfere with your treatment and increase side effects.
- This medicine can sometimes cause changes in mood or increase thoughts of self-harm. Pay close attention to your emotional health, and tell your doctor right away if you feel depressed, anxious, or have thoughts of ending your life.
- Pregnant women taking anti-seizure medicines can choose to register with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. This registry collects helpful safety information regarding seizure treatments during pregnancy.
Possible Side Effects of Levetiracetam.
Like all medicines, levetiracetam can cause side effects. Some are mild. This others require urgent medical attention.
Serious Side Effects to Report right away:
If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or get emergency medical help right away:
- Allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itching, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- High blood pressure in children.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, cough, or a sore throat.
- Loss of balance or coordination.
- Signs of low red blood cell count such as unusual tiredness, dizziness, headaches, or shortness of breath.
- Mood and behavior changes, including severe anxiety, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, hostility, aggression, depression, or thoughts of self-harm.
- Severe skin redness, blistering, peeling, or sores inside your mouth.
- Trouble walking normally.
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Sudden, overwhelming fatigue or weakness.
Common Side Effects That Usually Do Not Require Emergency Care:
These mild side effects often fade as your body adjusts to the medicine. If they continue or bother you greatly, let your doctor know:
- Dizziness .
- Drowsiness .
- Fatigue .
- Irritability or feeling easily annoyed .
- Loss of appetite .
This list does not cover every possible side effect. If you experience other unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
| Side Effect Category. | Common Examples. | Recommended Action. |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Side Effects. | Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, mild irritability. | Monitor symptoms; inform doctor if they persist. |
| Serious Red Flags. | Severe skin rash, suicidal thoughts, allergic swelling, hallucinations. | Seek immediate medical attention / call 911 or 999. |
When to Seek Emergency Help.
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or go to your nearest Emergency Department right away if you experience severe allergic reactions (trouble breathing, swollen lips or throat), a severe spreading skin rash with blistering, or sudden thoughts of self-harm. Do not wait.
How to Store Your Medicine Properly.
Proper storage keeps your medicine safe and effective:
- Store this medicine out of the reach and sight of children.
- Keep the tablets at room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F), away from excessive moisture and heat.
- Never use expired medicines. Safely discard any tablets past their expiration date.
Final Thoughts to Remember.
Managing epilepsy takes teamwork between you and your healthcare team. Always take your levetiracetam exactly as prescribed, keep open communication with your doctor about how you feel, and never stop taking your medicine on your own. By staying informed and alert, you can manage your condition safely and maintain your quality of life.
A Note from Dr. Priya Sammani.
Starting a new anti-seizure medicine can feel intimidating, but remember that you are not alone in this journey. Consistency is your greatest tool. Take your doses on time, keep track of how you feel, and reach out to your care team whenever you have questions or concerns. Your health and safety always come first.
Sources & References:
1. Mayo Clinic. Levetiracetam (Oral Route) Description and Proper Use. Available from: mayoclinic.org
2. Cleveland Clinic. Levetiracetam Tablets: Uses, Side Effects, and Warnings. Available from: clevelandclinic.org
3. National Health Service (NHS UK). Levetiracetam: epilepsy medicine. Available from: nhs.uk
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Spritam (Levetiracetam) medicine Guide and Prescribing Information. Available from: fda.gov
5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) / MedlinePlus. Levetiracetam Information. Available from: medlineplus.gov
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