What is levetiracetam?

Levetiracetam (generic Keppra) is a prescription drug used to treat certain types of seizures in children and adults. While levetiracetam can help control seizures, it is important to note that it is not a cure for the condition.

Doctors prescribe levetiracetam to treat 3 types of seizures:

1. Partial seizures for patients 1 month or older
2. Myoclonic seizures for patients 12 years of age and older with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (brief shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles)
3. Tonic-clonic seizures (convulsions, loss of consciousness, stiffening of muscles) for patients 6 years of age and older with a group of epileptic disorders called Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE).

The Epilepsy Foundation describes seizures as sudden surges in the electrical activity in the brain. Seizures are a common symptom of epilepsy, a neurological disease that affects more 3.4 million people in the United States.

While adverse reactions to levetiracetam are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including:

• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, and congestion)

For children aged 4-16 years, the most common side effects of taking levetiracetam were:

• Headache
• Cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, and congestion)
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Aggression

Because levetiracetam can cause drowsiness and dizziness, it is advised to avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the drug may affect you. Rare, more serious adverse effects may occur. If you experience any symptoms listed below, contact your doctor right away. Serious side effects from taking levetiracetam include: Seizures that are worse or different than the seizures you had before Fever, sore throat, or other signs of infection Rash, blisters, or hives Swelling of the face and tongue There is a risk that seizure/anticonvulsant medication, such as levetiracetam, can cause changes in your mental health. It is advised to contact your doctor right away if you, someone close to you, or a caregiver notices changes in your mental health such as panic attacks, anxiety, depression, aggressive or impulsive behaviors, talking about or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

This is not a complete list of levetiracetam side effects. For more information on advice effects associated with levetiracetam, please [visit])https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e77eabc9-9f65-4d4b-8135-0290291e6ee8) the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

Levetiracetam is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not levetiracetam is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.