Eplipsa 500mg Injection

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used on its own or with other epilepsy medicines for:

• partial-onset seizures, which start in one part of the brain and may spread
• myoclonic seizures (sudden muscle jerks) in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major fits)

The infusion (drip) is used instead of tablets or oral liquid when a person temporarily cannot take medicine by mouth.

A doctor or nurse gives this medicine in hospital.

• It is diluted and given slowly into a vein as a drip, usually twice a day, morning and evening.
• Your total daily dose is the same as with tablets or liquid, so you can switch between them without changing the dose.
• It is normally only used for a few days.
• Never stop levetiracetam suddenly. If it needs to be stopped, your doctor will reduce it slowly to avoid more seizures.

The most common side effects are a cold-like sore nose or throat, sleepiness, headache, tiredness and dizziness. These are more likely when starting or after a dose increase and usually ease.

Other common effects include loss of appetite, low mood, anxiety, irritability or aggression, trouble sleeping, shakiness, feeling sick and stomach upset.

Tell a doctor immediately if you have:

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or feeling faint
• a widespread rash, blisters or peeling skin, or a rash with fever and swollen glands
• thoughts of harming yourself, or big changes in mood or behaviour
• confusion, severe sleepiness, memory loss or unusual movements
• passing much less urine, with swelling of the legs or feet
• seizures that get worse or happen more often

Tell your doctor before you are given it if you:

• are allergic to levetiracetam or similar medicines (pyrrolidone derivatives)
• have kidney problems
• have, or have a family history of, an irregular heartbeat, or salt imbalances
• have had depression or thoughts of self-harm
• are on a low-salt diet (the infusion contains sodium)
• are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not stop treatment without talking to your doctor. Breastfeeding is not recommended.

In children, tell the doctor about any slowing of growth or unexpected changes in puberty.

Hospital staff store, prepare and dispose of this medicine.

Mood: a small number of people taking epilepsy medicines have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Tell your doctor straight away about any such thoughts or low mood.

Driving: it can make you sleepy, especially at the start. Do not drive or use machines until you know it does not affect you, and follow local driving rules for epilepsy.

Laxative: avoid macrogol for one hour before and after levetiracetam.