Consumer medicine information

Keppra Oral Solution

Levetiracetam

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Keppra Oral

Active ingredient

Levetiracetam

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Keppra Oral Solution.

SUMMARY CMI

Keppra® oral solution

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I using Keppra®?

Keppra® contains the active ingredient levetiracetam. Keppra® is used to control epilepsy.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Keppra®? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use Keppra®?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to levetiracetam or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Keppra®? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Keppra® and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use Keppra®?

  • Keppra® Oral Solution should be taken twice a day at the prescribed amount by your doctor.
  • Use the syringe provided in the cardboard box to measure the exact quantity of oral solution.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Keppra®? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using Keppra®?

Things you should do
  • Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Keppra®.
  • Notify your doctor straight away if you If you notice an increase in seizures or if you have thoughts of harming yourself and/or symptoms of mood changes such as depression, nervousness, aggression, anger, anxiety, confusion, hallucination, irritability.
Things you should not do
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
  • Do not change the dosage.
  • Give this medicine to anyone with a fructose intolerance. It may cause a serious side effect.
  • Use expired medicine.
Driving or using machines
  • Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Keppra® affects you.
  • Keppra® may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. If you are feeling dizzy or drowsy do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Drinking alcohol
  • Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
  • Alcohol combined with taking Keppra® may make you drowsy.
Looking after your medicine
  • Store Keppra® Oral Solution below 25°C, in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
  • After opening the bottle, the oral solution must be used within 7 months. You should write the date of opening the bottle on the bottle label, and the discard date.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Keppra®? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Common potential side effects: dizziness, forgetfulness, loss of concentration, headaches, rash, itchy and dry skin, headache, common cold, upset stomach, diarrhoea, blurred vision, muscle pain, feeling tired, drowsy or sleepy and feeling weak. Serious potential side effects: feelings of depression, mood changes such as depression, nervousness, aggression, anger, anxiety, confusion, hallucination, irritability, more frequent or more severe seizures, allergic reactions (shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin) and a combination of flu-like symptoms with widespread skin rash and/or high temperatures. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.



FULL CMI

Keppra® oral solution (pronounced “KEPP-ruh”)

Active ingredient: levetiracetam (pronounced "LEE ve tye RA se tam")

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Keppra®. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Keppra®.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Keppra®?
2. What should I know before I use Keppra®?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Keppra®?
5. What should I know while using Keppra®?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using Keppra®?

Keppra® contains the active ingredient levetiracetam. Keppra® is an antiepileptic drug.

Keppra® is used to control epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have repeated seizures. There are many different types of seizures, ranging from mild to severe.

2. What should I know before I use Keppra®?

Warnings

Do not use Keppra® if:

  • you are allergic to levetiracetam, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  • Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine. Keppra® oral solution contains maltitol. Do not use this medicine if you have hereditary problems of fructose intolerance.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have any other medical conditions such as kidney or/and liver problems,
  • allergic reactions to any medicines, especially barbiturates (such as phenobarbitone) or any other antiepileptic medicines (such as carbamazepine, lamotrigine or levetiracetam) or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
  • and any other mental health condition, such as depression.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Keppra may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy. However, it is very important to control your seizures while you are pregnant.

Your doctor will outline and weigh up all the risks and benefits of taking Keppra during pregnancy to help decide whether or not you should take it.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. The active ingredient in Keppra passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Keppra if you are breastfeeding.

Children and Adolescents

  • Keppra® is not recommended for use in children under the age of 4 years as its safety and effectiveness has not been established in this age group.
  • Keppra® is used as add on therapy with other medicines to control epilepsy in children 4 to 16 years of age.

Adolescents and Adults

  • Keppra® should be used by itself for patients diagnosed aged 16 years and above. This is dependent on your doctor's decision.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Keppra does not interact with the oral contraceptive pill. However, you may be given Keppra together with other antiepileptic medicines that do interact and may affect the effectiveness of your contraceptive. Your doctor may advise you to use an additional method of contraception if you take Keppra with other antiepileptic medicines.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Keppra®.

4. How do I use Keppra®?

How much to take / use

  • Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
  • Your doctor will tell you how much Keppra you will need to take each day. This may depend on your age, your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
  • For patients 12 years of age and older, the dosage is generally between 1000 mg (10 mL) and 3000 mg (30 mL) each day, taken in two doses.
  • For children 4 to 11 years of age the doctor will calculate the dosage based on the child's weight and tell you how much to give. The medicine is to be given twice daily.
  • Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Keppra first. Your doctor will slowly increase the amount of medicine until you are taking enough to control your epilepsy, and you are not having seizures. Follow the instructions provided and use Keppra® until your doctor tells you to stop.
  • Most antiepileptics take time to work, so do not be discouraged if you do not feel better straight away. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, you must take your medicine every day, even if you feel well.

When to take / use Keppra®

  • Keppra® should be used twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Take it at about the same time each day.
  • Taking your medicine at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
  • It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.

How to take Keppra®

Use the syringe provided in the cardboard box to measure the exact quantity of oral solution prescribed by your doctor.

Keppra oral solution may be diluted in a glass of water or baby's bottle. Open the bottle, press the cap and turn it anticlockwise (figure 1).

Follow these steps the first time you take Keppra®:

Take off the adaptor from the oral syringe (figure 2).

Put the adaptor into the top of the bottle (figure 3). Make sure it is fixed well in place. You do not need to remove the adaptor after use.

Follow these steps each time you take Keppra®:

Put the oral syringe into the adaptor opening (figure 4). Turn the bottle upside down (figure 5).

Hold the bottle upside down in one hand and use the other hand to fill the oral syringe.

Pull the plunger down to fill the oral syringe with a small amount of solution (figure 5A). Then push the plunger up to remove any possible air bubbles (figure 5B). Pull the plunger down to the millilitre (ml) dose marker on the oral syringe prescribed by your doctor (figure 5C).

Turn the bottle the right way up (figure 6A). Remove the syringe from the adaptor (figure 6B).

Empty the contents of the syringe in a glass of water or baby's bottle by pushing the plunger to the bottom of the syringe (figure 7).

Drink the whole contents of the glass/baby's bottle.

Close the bottle with the plastic screw cap (you do not need to remove the adaptor).

To clean the syringe, rinse with cold water only, moving the plunger several times up and down to take up and expel the water, without separating the two components. figure 8).

Keep the bottle, the oral syringe and the leaflet in the carton.

If you forget to use Keppra®

Keppra® should be used regularly at the same time each day.

Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you use too much Keppra®

If you think that you have used too much Keppra®, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

Symptoms of an overdose may include feeling drowsy.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

5. What should I know while using Keppra®?

Things you should do

Call your doctor straight away if you:

  • If you notice an increase in seizures.
  • If you have thoughts of harming yourself and/or symptoms of mood changes such as depression, nervousness, aggression, anger, anxiety, confusion, hallucination, irritability.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Keppra® and or before you have any surgery or emergency treatment.

Tell your doctor if you feel Keppra® is not helping your condition. Your doctor may need to change your medicine.

If you are pregnant while taking this medicine.

Things you should not do

  • Stop taking Keppra®, or change the dosage, without checking with your doctor. Do not let yourself run out of medicine over the weekend or on holidays. Stopping Keppra® suddenly may cause unwanted side effects or make your condition worse. Your doctor will slowly reduce your dose before you can stop taking it completely.
  • Give Keppra® to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours or they have the same condition as you.
  • Give this medicine to anyone with a fructose intolerance. It may cause a serious side effect.
  • Take Keppra® to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Keppra® affects you.

As with other antiepileptic medicines, Keppra® may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. This is more frequent at the beginning of treatment or after an increase in the dose.

If you are feeling dizzy or drowsy do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous. Children should not ride a bike, climb trees or do anything else that could be dangerous if they are feeling dizzy or drowsy.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Alcohol combined with taking Keppra® may make you drowsy. Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with Keppra®.

Looking after your medicine

  • Keep Keppra oral solution in its original bottle until it is time to take it. If you take the solution out of the bottle it may not keep well.
  • Keep your oral solution in a cool place where the temperature stays below 25°C and protect from light.
  • After opening the bottle, the oral solution must be used within 7 months. You should write the date of opening the bottle on the bottle label, and the discard date.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on windowsills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

When to discard your medicine

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed. Expiry is 7 months from the date of first use.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effectsWhat to do
Nervous system related:
  • dizziness
  • forgetfulness
  • loss of concentration
Skin related:
  • rash
  • itchy and dry skin
Infections related:
  • common cold
Digestive system related:
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhoea
Eye related:
  • blurred vision
Muscle related:
  • Muscle pain
Other:
  • headache
  • feeling tired, drowsy or sleepy
  • feeling weak
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effectsWhat to do
Mood related:
  • feelings of depression
  • mood changes such as depression, nervousness, aggression, anger, anxiety, confusion, hallucination, irritability.
  • thoughts of harming yourself
Nervous system related:
  • more frequent or more severe seizures
Other:
  • weight loss
  • a combination of flu-like symptoms, widespread skin rash and/or high temperature.
Allergic reaction related:
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What Keppra® contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)		Levetiracetam
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
  • sodium citrate
  • citric acid monohydrate
  • methylhydroxybenzoate
  • parahydroxybenzoate
  • ammonium glycyrrhizate
  • glycerol
  • maltitol solution
  • acesulfame potassium
  • grape flavour
Potential allergens9g of maltitol is present per recommended maximum daily dose (30 mL) of Keppra®. Product containing maltitol may have a laxative effect or cause diarrhoea.
Contains hydroxybenzoates and glycerol.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Keppra® looks like

Keppra® oral solution is available in a 100 mg/mL strength and is supplied in an amber bottle with a child resistant cap. It is also supplied with a measuring syringe for dosing and an adaptor for the syringe. (Aust R 120499).

Who distributes Keppra®

UCB Pharma
A division of UCB Australia Pty Ltd
Level 1, 1155 Malvern Road
Malvern VIC 3144, Australia

This leaflet was prepared in December 2024

Keppra is a registered trademark of UCB Pharma, S.A.

Published by MIMS April 2025

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Keppra Oral

Active ingredient

Levetiracetam

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Levetiracetam.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Keppra film-coated tablets are available in strengths of 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg and 1000 mg levetiracetam. Keppra oral solution is available as 100 mg/mL strength.
Levetiracetam is a white to off white powder with a faint odour and a bitter taste. It is very soluble in water (104 g/100 mL). It is freely soluble in chloroform (65.3 g/100 mL) and in methanol (53.6 g/100 mL), soluble in ethanol (16.5 g/100 mL), sparingly soluble in acetonitrile (5.7 g/100 mL) and practically insoluble in n-hexane.
Keppra oral solution contains the following excipients: methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, and maltitol solution. For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Keppra film-coated tablets:

250 mg.

Blue, oblong, scored film-coated tablet debossed with the code ucb and 250 on one side.

500 mg.

Yellow, oblong, scored film-coated tablet debossed with the code ucb and 500 on one side.

750 mg*.

Orange, oblong, scored film-coated tablet debossed with the code ucb and 750 on one side.

1000 mg.

White, oblong, scored film-coated tablet debossed with the code ucb and 1000 on one side.
*Not currently distributed in Australia.
Keppra 100 mg/mL oral solution is a clear liquid.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Keppra (film-coated tablets and oral solution) is indicated for:
use in epileptic patients aged 4 years and older, initially as add-on therapy, in the treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation;
monotherapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in patients from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy;
add-on therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME); and
add-on therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children from 4 years of age with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE).

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Keppra therapy can be initiated with either intravenous or oral administration. Conversion to or from oral to intravenous can be done directly without titration. The total daily dose and frequency of administration should be maintained.
The film-coated tablets must be taken orally, swallowed with liquid.
The oral solution may be diluted in a glass of water. Both the film-coated tablets and oral solution may be taken with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of levetiracetam may be experienced. The daily dose is administered in two equally divided doses.

Monotherapy.

The recommended starting dose is 250 mg twice daily which should be increased to an initial therapeutic dose of 500 mg twice daily after 2 weeks. The dose can be further increased by 250 mg twice daily every two weeks depending upon the clinical response. The maximum dose is 1500 mg twice daily.

Add-on therapy.

Adults (≥ 18 years of age) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years of age) weighing 50 kg or more.

As adjunctive therapy, the therapeutic dose is 500 mg twice daily. This dose can be started on the first day of treatment.
Depending upon the clinical response and tolerance, the daily dose can be increased up to 1500 mg twice daily. Dose changes can be made in 500 mg twice daily increments or decrements every 2 to 4 weeks.
When satisfactory control of seizures has been attained, monotherapy with Keppra may be envisaged by progressively decreasing and withdrawing the concomitant antiepileptic medication.

Elderly (65 years and older).

Adjustment of the dose is recommended in the elderly with compromised renal function (see Patients with renal impairment, below).

Children (aged 4 to 11 years of age) and adolescents (aged 12-17 years of age) weighing less than 50 kg.

The initial therapeutic dose is 10 mg/kg twice daily. See Table 1.
Depending on the clinical response and tolerance, the daily dose can be increased up to 60 mg/kg daily (in two 30 mg/kg doses). Dose changes can be made in 10 mg/kg twice daily dose increments or decrements every two weeks. The lowest effective dose should be used.
The dosage in children 50 kg or greater is the same as in adults.
The physician should prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form and strength according to weight and dose.

Infants and children less than 4 years of age.

There are insufficient data to recommend the use of levetiracetam in children under 4 years of age.

Patients with renal impairment.

The Keppra daily dose must be individualised according to renal function. For adult patients, see Table 2 and adjust the dose as indicated.
To use this dosing table, an estimate of the patient's creatinine clearance (CLcr) in mL/min is needed. The CLcr in mL/min may be estimated from serum creatinine (micromol/L) determination using the following formula (see Equation 1):
Then CLcr is adjusted for body surface area (BSA) as follows (see Equation 2):
For children with renal impairment, levetiracetam dose needs to be adjusted based on the renal function as levetiracetam clearance is related to renal function. This recommendation is based on a study in adult renally impaired patients.

Patients with hepatic impairment.

No dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment.
In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the creatinine clearance may underestimate the renal insufficiency. Therefore a 50% reduction of the daily maintenance dose is recommended when the creatinine clearance is < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to levetiracetam or other pyrrolidone derivatives or any of the excipients (see Section 6.1 List of Excipients).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

In accordance with current clinical practice, if Keppra has to be discontinued it is recommended to withdraw it gradually.
Amongst its excipients, Keppra oral solution includes methylhydroxybenzoate and propylhydroxybenzoate which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed) and maltitol which may have a mild laxative effect. Keppra oral solution also contains glycerol which can cause headache, stomach upset and diarrhoea when ingested in doses greater than 10 g. Please note, however, that the glycerol content is less than 1.5 g in a recommended Keppra dose in children weighing 20 kg or less. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take the oral solution.
Due to its complete and linear absorption, plasma levels can be predicted from the oral dose of levetiracetam expressed as mg/kg bodyweight. There is no need therefore for plasma level monitoring of levetiracetam.
No data on the interaction of levetiracetam with alcohol are available.

Suicidal behaviour and ideation.

Antiepileptic drugs, including levetiracetam, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviour, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behaviour.
Pooled analyses of 199 placebo controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomised to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted relative risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behaviour compared to patients randomised to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behaviour or ideation among 27,863 AED treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behaviour for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug treated patients in the trials and none in placebo treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide.
The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed.
The risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour was generally consistent among drugs in the data analysed.
The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analysed. Table 3 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs.
The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behaviour was higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications.
Anyone considering prescribing levetiracetam or any other AED must balance this risk with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Should suicidal thoughts and behaviour emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated.
Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed that AEDs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour and should be advised of the need to be alert for the emergence of worsening of the signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behaviour, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behaviour, or thoughts about self harm. Behaviours of concern should be reported immediately to the treating doctor.

Psychiatric reactions and changes in behaviour.

Levetiracetam may cause changes in behaviour (e.g. aggression, agitation, anger, anxiety, apathy, depression, hostility, and irritability) and psychotic symptoms. Patients treated with levetiracetam should be monitored for psychiatric signs and symptoms.

Seizure worsening.

A paradoxical reaction of worsening of seizure may be observed especially when starting treatment or at increase in dose.
Lack of efficacy or seizure worsening has been reported in patients with epilepsy associated with SCN8A mutations.

Blood cell count.

Cases of decreased blood cell counts (neutropenia, agranulocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia) have been described in association with levetiracetam administration. Complete blood cell counts are advised in patients experiencing important weakness, pyrexia, recurrent infections or coagulation disorders (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Use in hepatic impairment.

See Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties.

Use in renal impairment.

The administration of Keppra to patients with renal impairment may require dose adaptation. Monitoring of renal function in severe hepatic impaired patients is recommended before dose selection (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Use in the elderly.

See Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration; Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties.

Paediatric use.

To date, there are no data to support the use of levetiracetam in patients less than 4 years of age.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

In vitro, levetiracetam and its major metabolite (ucb L057) have been shown not to inhibit the major human liver cytochrome P450 isoforms, glucuronyl transferase, (valproic acid) and epoxide hydroxylase activities. In human hepatocytes in culture, levetiracetam did not cause enzyme induction.
Probenecid (500 mg four times daily) has been shown to inhibit the renal clearance of the major metabolite (ucb L057) but not levetiracetam. Nevertheless, the concentration of ucb L057 remains low. It is expected that other drugs excreted by active tubular secretion could also reduce the renal clearance of the metabolite. The effect of levetiracetam on probenecid was not studied and the effect of levetiracetam on other actively secreted drugs, e.g. NSAIDs, sulphonamides, and methotrexate is unknown.
Premarketing data from clinical studies conducted in adults indicate that Keppra did not influence the serum concentrations of existing antiepileptic medicinal products (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, gabapentin and primidone) and that these antiepileptic medicinal products did not influence the pharmacokinetics of Keppra.
Consistent with formal pharmacokinetic studies in adults, there has been no clear evidence of clinically significant drug interactions in paediatric patients receiving up to 60 mg/kg/day.
A retrospective assessment of pharmacokinetic interactions in children and adolescents with epilepsy (4 to 17 years) confirmed that adjunctive therapy with levetiracetam did not influence the steady-state serum concentrations of concomitantly administered carbamazepine, valproate, topiramate and lamotrigine. However, data suggested that enzyme inducing antiepileptic medicinal products increase levetiracetam clearance by 22%. Dosage adjustment is not required.
Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated a lack of interaction with digoxin, oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel) and warfarin. Endocrine parameters (LH and progesterone) and prothrombin times were not modified.
No data on the influence of antacids on the absorption of levetiracetam are available.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

There are no human data on the effects of Keppra on male or female fertility. No adverse effects on male or female fertility or reproductive performance were observed in rats at oral doses of levetiracetam up to 1800 mg/kg/day (corresponding to approximately 6 times the maximal recommended clinical dose on a mg/m2 basis) administered for at least two weeks prior to, and throughout, mating.
(Category B3)
In rats and rabbits, levetiracetam and/or its metabolites cross the placenta and the foetal levels approximate maternal plasma levels. In these species, levetiracetam produced evidence of developmental toxicity at doses similar to or greater than human therapeutic doses.
Oral administration to female rats from two weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation was associated with increased incidences of minor foetal skeletal abnormalities and retarded offspring growth prenatally and/or postnatally at doses ≥ 350 mg/kg/day (approximately equivalent to the maximal recommended clinical dose of 3000 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis) and with increased pup mortality and offspring behavioural alterations at a dose of 1800 mg/kg/day (6 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). The developmental no effect dose was 70 mg/kg/day (equivalent to 0.2 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). There was no overt maternal toxicity at the doses used in this study.
Oral administration to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in increased embryofoetal mortality and increased incidences of minor foetal skeletal abnormalities at doses ≥ 600 mg/kg/day (about 4 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis) and in decreased foetal weights and increased incidences of minor foetal skeletal anomalies at a dose of 1800 mg/kg/day (12 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). The developmental no effect dose was 200 mg/kg/day (1.3 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). Maternal toxicity was also observed at 1800 mg/kg/day.
Oral administration to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in reduced foetal weight and increased incidence of embryofoetal mortality and increased incidence of foetal skeletal variations at a dose of 3600 mg/kg/day (12 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). The developmental no effect dose was 1200 mg/kg/day (4 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis). There was no overt maternal toxicity.
Oral administration to rats during the late gestation and throughout lactation produced no adverse developmental or maternal effects at doses of up to 1800 mg/kg/day (6 times the maximal human dose on a mg/m2 basis).
Neonatal and juvenile animal studies in rats and dogs demonstrated that there were no adverse effects seen in any of the standard developmental or maturation endpoints at doses of up to 1800 mg/kg/day corresponding to 30 times the maximum recommended human dose.
The risk of having an abnormal child as a result of antiepileptic medication is far outweighed by the dangers to the mother and foetus of uncontrolled epilepsy.
It is recommended that:
women on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) receive prepregnancy counselling with regard to the risk of foetal abnormalities;
AEDs should be continued during pregnancy and monotherapy should be used if possible at the lowest effective dose as risk of abnormality is greater in women taking combined medication;
folic acid supplementation (5 mg) should be commenced four weeks prior to and continue for twelve weeks after conception;
specialist prenatal diagnosis including detailed midtrimester ultrasound should be offered;
as with all antiepileptic medicines, sudden discontinuation of levetiracetam should be avoided as this may lead to breakthrough seizures that could have serious consequences for the woman and the unborn child.
A large amount of postmarketing data on pregnant women exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy (more than 1800, among which in more than 1500 exposure occurred during the 1st trimester) do not suggest an increase in the risk of major congenital malformations.
Limited evidence is available on the neurodevelopment of children exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy in utero. Information available from published epidemiological studies does not suggest an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders or delays.
Generally, therapy with multiple antiepileptic drugs (including polytherapy containing levetiracetam) is associated with a higher risk of major malformations than monotherapy.
Keppra should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus. As with other antiepileptic drugs, physiological changes during pregnancy may affect levetiracetam concentration. A decrease in levetiracetam plasma concentrations has been observed during pregnancy. This decrease is more pronounced during the third trimester (up to 60% of baseline concentration before pregnancy). Appropriate clinical management of pregnant women treated with levetiracetam should be ensured. To monitor the outcome of pregnancy in women exposed to Keppra, doctors are encouraged to register pregnant patients taking Keppra on the Australian Pregnancy Register for Women on Antiepileptic Medication with Epilepsy and Allied Conditions by calling 1800 069 722.
 Levetiracetam and/or its metabolites are excreted in milk in lactating rats; peak milk concentrations occurred 3 hours after oral administration (milk: plasma ratio 0.9). Levetiracetam is excreted in human breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfeeding infants from Keppra, a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Due to possible different individual sensitivity, some patients might experience, at the beginning of treatment or following a dosage increase, somnolence or other CNS related symptoms. Therefore, caution is recommended in those patients when performing skilled tasks, e.g. driving vehicles, or operating machinery.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

The prescriber should be aware that following data were obtained from studies where Keppra was added to concomitant antiepileptic therapy. Therefore it was not possible in all cases to determine which agent(s), if any, was associated with adverse events. It is also difficult to predict the frequency of adverse events in the course of usual medical practice where patient characteristics and other factors may differ from those prevailing during clinical studies.

Adult patients.

Keppra has been administered to more than 3000 subjects and patients. Of these, 780 patients were treated for more than 6 months, 592 for more than 1 year, 366 for more than 2 years and 185 for more than 3 years.
1023 adult patients with epilepsy participated in controlled clinical trials (672 patients were treated with levetiracetam and 351 patients with placebo).
From placebo controlled studies conducted in adults, 46.4% and 42.2% of patients experienced drug related treatment emergent adverse events in the levetiracetam group and placebo group, respectively. 2.4% and 2.0% of patients experienced serious drug related treatment emergent adverse events in the levetiracetam group and placebo group, respectively.
During monotherapy treatment with levetiracetam, 79.6% of subjects experienced at least one adverse event and 49.8% experienced at least one drug related undesirable effect. The most frequently reported adverse effects were fatigue and somnolence.

Very common adverse events (≥ 10%).

The very common adverse events (≥ 10%) were somnolence, asthenia, infection, headache and accidental injury. Of these, somnolence, asthenia and infection appeared to occur more frequently in levetiracetam treated patients than in placebo treated patients, whereas accidental injury was more common in the placebo group and headache was similarly reported in the two groups. (See Table 4).
In the pooled safety analysis, there was no clear dose response relationship but incidence and severity of CNS related undesirable effects decreased over time.
More than 93% of events categorised under the COSTART preferred term infection are symptoms of community acquired infections (common cold and upper respiratory tract infections). There was no increase in incidence of other infections (lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, etc.). Minor, but statistically significant, decreases compared to placebo in total mean RBC count (0.03 x 106/mm2), mean hemoglobin (0.9 g/L), and mean haematocrit (0.38%) were seen in Keppra treated patients in controlled trials. A total of 3.2% of treated and 1.8% of placebo patients had at least one possibly significant (≤ 2.8 x 109/L) decreased WBC, and 2.4% for treated and 1.4% of placebo patients had at least one possible significant (≤ 1.0 x 109/L) decreased neutrophil count. Of the treated patients with a low neutrophil count, all but one rose towards or to baseline with continued treatment. No patient was discontinued secondary to low neutrophil counts.

Common adverse events (≥ 1%, < 10%).

See Table 5.
The incidence of serious adverse events in placebo controlled studies was 9.9% in the levetiracetam group versus 8.9% in the placebo group. Many of the serious adverse events are typical for a population of patients with epilepsy.
The serious adverse events which occurred in more than 1% of patients were convulsion (1.8% in levetiracetam group versus 1.4% in placebo group) and accidental injury (1.6% in both levetiracetam and placebo group).

Paediatric patients.

A study conducted in paediatric patients (4 to 16 years of age) showed that 55.4% and 40.2% of the paediatric patients experienced undesirable effects in the Keppra and placebo groups, respectively, and that 0.0% and 1.0% of the paediatric patients experienced serious undesirable effects in the Keppra and placebo groups, respectively. In the paediatric clinical study, 16.8% of patients receiving Keppra and 20.6% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse event. The most commonly reported undesirable effects in the paediatric population were somnolence, hostility, nervousness, emotional lability, agitation, anorexia, asthenia and headache. Safety results in paediatric patients were consistent with the safety profile of levetiracetam in adults, except for behavioural and psychiatric undesirable effects which were more common in children than in adults (38.6% versus 18.6%). However, the relative risk was similar in children as compared to adults as there was also a higher incidence of behavioural psychiatric adverse events in the placebo group in children as compared to adults (27.8% versus 10.5%). (See Table 6).
Other events occurring in 2% or more of paediatric patients treated with Keppra but as or more frequent in the placebo group were the following: abdominal pain, allergic reaction, ataxia, convulsion, epistaxis, fever, headache, hyperkinesia, infection, insomnia, nausea, otitis media, rash, sinusitis, status epilepticus (not otherwise specified), thinking abnormal, tremor, and urinary incontinence.

Other controlled clinical trials.

The following adverse effects, listed by body system, have been observed in additional controlled clinical trials.

General disorders.

Very common: fatigue.

Respiratory system.

Common: nasopharyngitis.

Nervous system.

Common: balance disorder, disturbance in attention, memory impairment.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Common: eczema, pruritus.

Eye disorders.

Common: vision blurred.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders.

Common: thrombocytopenia.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Common: myalgia.

Psychiatric disorders.

Common: irritability, mood swings, personality disorder.

Postmarketing experience.

In postmarketing experience, nervous system and psychiatric disorders have been most frequently reported.
In addition to the adverse reactions reported during clinical studies and listed above, the following adverse reactions have been reported in postmarketing experience. Data are insufficient to support an estimate of their incidence in the population to be treated.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders.

Pancytopenia with bone marrow suppression identified in some of these cases, agranulocytosis, leucopenia and neutropenia.

Cardiac disorders.

Electrocardiogram QT prolonged.

Immune system disorders.

Anaphylaxis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).

Psychiatric disorders.

Abnormal behaviour, aggression, anger, panic attack, confusion, hallucination, psychotic disorder, suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation and delirium.

Nervous system disorders.

Choreoathetosis, dyskinesia, lethargy, gait disturbance, seizures aggravated.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, erythema multiforme and alopecia; in several alopecia cases, recovery was observed when Keppra was discontinued.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Muscular weakness, rhabdomyolysis and blood creatine phosphokinase increased.

Liver and biliary system disorders.

Hepatitis, hepatic failure and abnormal liver function test.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Acute kidney injury.

Metabolic and nutritional disorders.

Weight loss, pancreatitis, hyponatraemia.

Description of selected adverse reactions.

The prevalence of rhabdomyolysis and blood creatine phosphokinase increase is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients.
Evidence also suggests a possible predisposition of the Japanese population to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
Rare cases of QT prolongation have been seen in post-marketing surveillance.
Rare cases of development of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) in patients with underlying history of OCD or psychiatric disorders have been observed in post-marketing surveillance.
Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions (also known as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, DRESS) have been reported in patients treated with some antiepileptic medicinal products. These reactions are variable in expression, but typically present with fever and rash and can be associated with involvement of different organ systems. Potential cases have been reported rarely with levetiracetam and if multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, levetiracetam should be discontinued.
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at http://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

The highest known dose of Keppra received in the clinical development program was 6000 mg/day. Other than drowsiness, there were no adverse events in the few known cases of overdose in clinical trials. Cases of somnolence, agitation, aggression, depressed level of consciousness, respiratory depression and coma were observed with Keppra overdoses in postmarketing use.
There is no specific antidote for levetiracetam. Treatment for an overdose will be symptomatic and may include haemodialysis. The dialyser extraction efficiency is 60% for levetiracetam and 74% for the major metabolite (ucb L057).
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

The precise mechanism of action by which levetiracetam induces seizure protection still remains to be fully elucidated, but appears to be unrelated to the mechanisms of current antiepileptic drugs. In vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that levetiracetam does not alter basic cell characteristics and normal neurotransmission.
In vitro studies show that levetiracetam affects intraneuronal Ca2+ levels by partial inhibition of N-type Ca2+ currents and by reducing the release of Ca2+ from intraneuronal stores. In addition, it partially reverses the reductions in GABA and glycine-gated currents induced by zinc and β-carbolines. Furthermore, levetiracetam has been shown in in vitro studies to bind to a specific site in rodent brain tissue. This binding site is the synaptic vesicle protein 2A, believed to be involved in vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter exocytosis. Levetiracetam and related analogues show a rank order of affinity for binding to the synaptic vesicle protein 2A which correlates with the potency of their antiseizure protection in the mouse audiogenic model of epilepsy. This finding suggests that the interaction between levetiracetam and the synaptic vesicle protein 2A seems to contribute to the antiepileptic mechanism of action of the drug.

Pharmacodynamics.

In animals.

Levetiracetam is not active in the classical screening models for anticonvulsants however induces potent protection in a broad range of animal models of partial and primary generalised seizures, with an unusually high safety margin between therapeutic doses and doses inducing adverse effects.
Levetiracetam also displays potential antiepileptogenic properties by dose dependently inhibiting the development of kindling, even after discontinuation of the active substance.
Withdrawal from chronic treatment did not decrease the seizure threshold. Anxiolytic action and an absence of undesirable effects on cognitive function have also been observed.
The major metabolite, ucb L057, is inactive in seizure models.

In man.

Both partial and generalised epilepsy models (epileptiform discharge/ photoparoxysmal response) confirmed the broad spectrum preclinical pharmacological profile.

Clinical trials.

Effectiveness in partial onset seizures in adults and adolescents.

Monotherapy. The monotherapy study was designed as a double blind, parallel group, noninferiority comparison of Keppra and carbamazepine controlled released in patients 16 years of age or older with newly diagnosed epilepsy. The seizures were to be either unprovoked partial seizures (type IA (simple partial seizures with unimpaired consciousness), IB (complex partial seizures with impaired consciousness), or IC (partial seizures secondarily generalised (with clear focal origin)) or IIE (generalised tonic-clonic seizure (without clear focal origin)), classifiable according to the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures. The study was performed in 85 centers in 13 countries (Europe and South Africa).
At the end of the 1 week screening period, eligible subjects were stratified by seizure type (IA/IB/IC or IC/IIE without clear focal origin) and randomly assigned to receive CBZ CR (N = 291) or LEV (N = 285), for up to 121 weeks depending on response. Conservatively, a controlled release (CR) formulation of carbamazepine was used to minimise adverse effects. The maximal duration for an individual subject was 121 weeks.
After a 1 week screening period (no study drug intake), the subject was randomized and entered a 2 week up titration period to the first target daily dose (LEV 1000 mg/CBZ 400 mg), followed by a one week stabilization period and an evaluation period of 26 weeks in order to achieve a 6 month seizure freedom (primary efficacy endpoint), and followed by a maintenance period of 26 additional weeks in order to assess safety and maintenance of efficacy.
If a seizure occurred during the evaluation period, dose escalation (made over a 2 week period) to the second target daily dose (LEV 2000 mg/CBZ 800 mg) was foreseen. This was followed by a 1 week stabilization period, a new evaluation period of 26 weeks and a maintenance period of 26 additional weeks. The same was true if a seizure occurred during the evaluation period at the second dose level: dose escalation (made over a 2 week period) to the third target daily dose (LEV 3000 mg/CBZ 1200 mg), followed by a one week stabilization period, a new evaluation period of 26 weeks and a maintenance period of 26 additional weeks. Fallback option: in case a subject did not tolerate the second or third study drug target dose, he/she had the opportunity, during the evaluation or the maintenance period, to have one fallback to an intermediate dose (decrease by 200 mg/day for CBZ or by 500 mg/day for LEV) and to continue in the trial on that basis. The subject could not resume the previous dose and could not have further up-titration in case a new seizure occurred.
576 subjects were randomised. Approximately one half of the patients in each treatment group completed the study (53.6% of the patients randomised to CBZ and 54.0% of the patients randomised to LEV), similar between the two treatment groups. The distribution by seizure type categories was similar in both treatment groups, with around 86.7% of subjects lastly classified as experiencing partial seizures with clear focus origin. The majority of subjects remained at dose level 1 (81.7% of subjects randomised to CBZ and 73.4% of subjects randomised to LEV in the PP population).
The prospectively defined primary endpoint was the proportion of subjects from the PP population with 6 month seizure freedom at the last evaluated dose.
One hundred seventy three (73.0%) of the PP subjects in the LEV arm were seizure free for at least 6 months at the last evaluated dose, compared to 171 subjects (72.8%) in the CBZ arm. The adjusted absolute difference LEV and CBZ (95% two sided CI) obtained from a logistic regression model including a factor for the seizure type category as last assessed (IA/IB/IC versus IC/IIE) equalled 0.2% (-7.8%; 8.2%). The lower limit of the confidence interval (-7.8%) was above the noninferiority limit set by protocol (-15%) for this primary efficacy analysis, and therefore LEV can be considered as noninferior to CBZ on the proportion of subjects seizure free at least 6 months at the first evaluated dose in the PP population. Considering the other clinically relevant end point, 56.6% and 58.5% of subjects on LEV and CBZ respectively were seizure free for 1 year.
Add-on therapy. The effectiveness of Keppra tablets as adjunctive therapy (added to other antiepileptic drugs) in adults was established in three multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical studies in patients who had refractory partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation. In these studies, 904 patients were randomised to placebo, 1000 mg, 2000 mg or 3000 mg/day. Patients enrolled in Study 1 or Study 2 had refractory partial onset seizures for at least 2 years and had taken two or more classical AEDs. Patients enrolled in Study 3 had refractory partial onset seizures for at least 1 year and had taken one classical AED. At the time of the study, patients were taking a stable dose regimen of at least one and could take a maximum of two AEDs. During the baseline period, patients had to have experienced at least two partial onset seizures during each 4 week period.

Study 1.

Study 1 was a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study conducted at 41 sites in the United States comparing Keppra 1000 mg/day (N = 97), Keppra 3000 mg/day (N = 101) and placebo (N = 95) given in equally divided doses twice daily. After a prospective baseline period of 12 weeks, patients were randomised to one of the three treatment groups described above. The 18 week treatment period consisted of a 6 week titration period, followed by a 12 week fixed dose evaluation period, during which concomitant AED regimens were held constant. The primary measure of effectiveness was a between group comparison of the percent reduction in weekly partial seizure frequency relative to placebo over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period). Secondary outcome variables included the responder rate (incidence of patients with ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency). The results of the analysis of study 1 are displayed in Table 7.
The percentage of patients (y-axis) who achieved ≥ 50% reduction in weekly seizure rates from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period) within the three treatment groups (x-axis) is presented in Figure 1.

Study 2.

Study 2 was a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study conducted at 62 centres in Europe comparing Keppra 1000 mg/day (N = 106), Keppra 2000 mg/day (N = 105) and placebo (N = 111) given in equally divided doses twice daily.
The first period of the study (period A) was designed to be analysed as a parallel group study. After a prospective baseline period of up to 12 weeks, patients were randomised to one of the three treatment groups described above. The 16 week treatment period consisted of the 4 week titration period followed by a 12 week fixed dose evaluation period, during which concomitant AED regimens were held constant. The primary measure of effectiveness was a between group comparison of the percent reduction in weekly partial seizure frequency relative to placebo over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period). Secondary outcome variables included the responder rate (incidence of patients with ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency). The results of the analysis of period A are displayed in Table 8.
The percentage of patients (y-axis) who achieved ≥ 50% reduction in weekly seizure rates from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period) within the three treatment groups (x-axis) is presented in Figure 2.
The comparison of Keppra 2000 mg/day to Keppra 1000 mg/day for responder rate was statistically significant (P = 0.02). Analysis of the trial as a crossover yielded similar results.

Study 3.

Study 3 was a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study conducted at 47 centres in Europe comparing Keppra 3000 mg/day (N = 180) and placebo (N = 104) in patients with refractory partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, receiving only one concomitant AED. Study drug was given in two divided doses. After a prospective baseline period of 12 weeks, patients were randomised to one of two treatment groups described above. The 16 week treatment period consisted of a 4 week titration period, followed by a 12 week fixed dose evaluation period, during which concomitant AED doses were held constant. The primary measure of effectiveness was a between group comparison of the percent reduction in weekly seizure frequency relative to placebo over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period).
Secondary outcome variables included the responder rate (incidence of patients with ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency). Table 9 displays the results of the analysis of study 3.
The percentage of patients (y-axis) who achieved ≥ 50% reduction in weekly seizure rates from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period) within the two treatment groups (x-axis) is presented in Figure 3.

Effectiveness in partial onset seizures in paediatric patients with epilepsy.

The effectiveness of Keppra as adjunctive therapy (added to other antiepileptic drugs) in paediatric patients was established in a multicenter, randomised double blind, placebo controlled study, conducted at 60 sites in North America, in children 4 to 16 years of age with partial seizures uncontrolled by standard antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Eligible patients on a steady dose of 1-2 AEDs, who still experienced at least 4 partial onset seizures during the 4 weeks prior to screening, as well as at least 4 partial onset seizures in each of the two 4 week baseline periods, were randomised to receive either Keppra or placebo. The population included 198 patients (Keppra N = 101, placebo N = 97) with uncontrolled partial onset seizures, whether or not secondarily generalised. The study consisted of an 8 week baseline period and 4 week titration period followed by a 10 week evaluation period.
Dosing was initiated at a target dose of 20 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. During the treatment period, Keppra doses were adjusted in 20 mg/kg/day increments, at 2 week intervals to the target dose of 60 mg/kg/day (or 40 mg/kg/day as a maximum tolerated dose).
The primary measure of effectiveness was a between group comparison of the percent reduction in weekly partial seizure frequency relative to placebo over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period). Secondary outcome variables included the responder rate (incidence of patients with ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency per week). Table 10 displays the results of this study.
The percentage of patients (y-axis) who achieved ≥ 50% reduction in weekly seizure rates from baseline in partial onset seizure frequency over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period) within the two treatment groups (x-axis) is presented in Figure 4.

Effectiveness in myoclonic seizures in patients ≥ 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).

The effectiveness of Keppra as adjunctive therapy in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy experiencing myoclonic seizures was established in one multicenter, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study, conducted at 37 sites in 14 countries. Eligible patients on a stable dose of 1 antiepileptic drug (AED) experiencing one or more myoclonic seizures per day for at least 8 days during the prospective 8 week baseline period were randomised to either Keppra or placebo. The population included 120 patients (Keppra N = 60, placebo N = 60) with idiopathic generalised epilepsy which included juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, or epilepsy with generalised tonic-clonic seizures on awakening. The majority were patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Patients were titrated over 4 weeks to a target dose of 3000 mg/day and treated at a stable dose of 3000 mg/day over 12 weeks (evaluation period). Study drug was given in 2 divided doses.
The primary measure of effectiveness was the proportion of patients with at least 50% reduction in the number of days per week with one or more myoclonic seizures during the treatment period (titration + evaluation periods) as compared to baseline. Secondary outcome variables included seizure frequency per week over the treatment period. Table 11 displays the results of this study.

Effectiveness in primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in patients ≥ 4 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy.

The effectiveness of Keppra as adjunctive therapy (added to other antiepileptic drugs) in patients 4 years of age and older with idiopathic generalised epilepsy experiencing primary generalised tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures was established in one multicenter, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study, conducted at 50 sites in 8 countries. Eligible patients on a stable dose of 1 or 2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) experiencing at least 3 PGTC seizures during the 8 week combined baseline period (at least one PGTC seizure during the 4 weeks prior to the prospective baseline period and at least one PGTC seizure during the 4 week prospective baseline period) were randomised to either Keppra or placebo. The 8 week combined baseline period is referred to as baseline in the remainder of this section. The population included 164 patients (Keppra N = 80, placebo N = 84) with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (predominately juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy, or epilepsy with grand mal seizures on awakening) experiencing primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures. Each of these syndromes of idiopathic generalised epilepsy was well represented in this patient population. Patients were titrated over 4 weeks to a target dose of 3000 mg/day for adults or a pediatric target dose of 60 mg/kg/day and treated at a stable dose of 3000 mg/day (or 60 mg/kg/day for children) over 20 weeks (evaluation period). Study drug was given in 2 equally divided doses per day.
The primary measure of effectiveness was the percent reduction from baseline in weekly PGTC seizure frequency for Keppra and placebo treatment groups over the treatment period (titration + evaluation periods). There was a statistically significant decrease from baseline in PGTC frequency in the Keppra treated patients compared to the placebo treated patients. (See Table 12).
The percentage of patients (y-axis) who achieved ≥ 50% reduction in weekly seizure rates from baseline in PGTC seizure frequency over the entire randomised treatment period (titration + evaluation period) within the two treatment groups (x-axis) is presented in Figure 5.
When Keppra was used to treat primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adults and adolescents with idiopathic generalised epilepsy, there was no effect on the frequency of absences.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Levetiracetam is a highly soluble and permeable compound. The pharmacokinetic profile is linear and time independent with low intrasubject and intersubject variability. There is no modification of the clearance after repeated administration. There is no evidence for any relevant gender, race or circadian variability. The pharmacokinetic profile is comparable in healthy volunteers and in patients with epilepsy.
Due to its complete and linear absorption, plasma levels can be predicted from the oral dose of levetiracetam expressed as mg/kg bodyweight. Therefore there is no need for plasma level monitoring of levetiracetam.
A significant correlation between saliva and plasma concentrations has been shown in adults and children (ratio of saliva/ plasma concentrations ranged from 1 to 1.7 for oral tablet formulation and after 4 hours postdose for oral solution formulation).
A single dose of 1500 mg levetiracetam diluted in 100 mL of a compatible diluent and infused intravenously over 15 minutes is bioequivalent to 1500 mg levetiracetam oral intake, given as three 500 mg tablets.
The intravenous administration of doses up to 4000 mg diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride infused over 15 minutes and doses up to 2500 mg diluted in 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride infused over 5 minutes was evaluated. The pharmacokinetic and safety profiles did not identify any safety concerns.

Adults and adolescents.

Absorption.

Levetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Oral absolute bioavailability is close to 100%. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) are achieved at 1.3 hours after dosing. Steady state is achieved after two days of a twice daily administration schedule. Peak concentrations (Cmax) are typically 31 microgram/mL and 43 microgram/mL following a single 1000 mg dose and repeated 1000 mg b.i.d. dose respectively. The extent of absorption is dose independent and is not altered by food, but the rate of absorption is slightly reduced.

Distribution.

No tissue distribution data are available in humans. Neither levetiracetam nor its major metabolite (ucb L057) are significantly bound to plasma proteins (< 10%). The volume of distribution of levetiracetam is approximately 0.5 to 0.7 L/kg, a value close to the volume of distribution of intracellular and extracellular water.

Metabolism.

The major metabolic pathway (24% of the dose) is an enzymatic hydrolysis of the acetamide group. Production of this metabolite, ucb L057, is not supported by liver cytochrome P450 isoforms. Hydrolysis of the acetamide group was measurable in a large number of tissues including whole blood but not plasma. The metabolite ucb L057 is pharmacologically inactive.
Two minor metabolites were also identified. One was obtained by hydroxylation of the pyrrolidone ring (1.6% of the dose) and the other one by opening of the pyrrolidone ring (0.9% of the dose).
Other unidentified components accounted for only 0.6% of the dose.
No enantiomeric interconversion was evidenced in vivo for either levetiracetam or its major metabolite ucb L057.
In vitro, levetiracetam and its primary metabolite have been shown not to inhibit the major human liver cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP3A4, 2A6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1 and 1A2), glucuronyl transferase (UGT1A1 and UGT1A6) and epoxide hydroxylase activities. In addition, levetiracetam does not affect the in vitro glucuronidation of valproic acid.
In human hepatocytes in vitro, levetiracetam had no effect on CYP1A1/2 or UGT isoform activities (including ethinylestradiol conjugation). Levetiracetam caused mild induction of CYP2B6 and CYP3A4, but only at high concentrations not considered to be clinically relevant. Therefore the interaction of Keppra with other substances, or vice versa, is unlikely.

Excretion.

The plasma half-life in adults was 7 ± 1 hours and did not vary either with dose, route of administration or repeated administration. The mean total body clearance was 0.96 mL/min/kg.
The major route of excretion was via urine, accounting for a mean 95% of the dose, with approximately 93% of the dose excreted within 48 hours. Excretion via faeces accounted for only 0.3% of the dose. The cumulative urinary excretion of levetiracetam and its major metabolite (ucb L057) accounted for 66% and 24% of the dose respectively during the first 48 hours.
The renal clearance of levetiracetam is 0.6 mL/min/kg, indicating that it is excreted by glomerular filtration with subsequent tubular reabsorption. The renal clearance of the major metabolite, ucb L057, is 4.2 mL/min/kg indicating active tubular secretion in addition to glomerular filtration.

Elderly.

In elderly patients, the half-life is increased by about 40% (10 to 11 hours) and is attributed to the decrease in renal function in this population (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Children (4 to 12 years of age).

Following single dose administration (20 mg/kg) to epileptic children (6 to 12 years of age), the half-life of levetiracetam was 6.0 ± 1.1 hours. The apparent body clearance was approximately 30% higher than in epileptic adults.
Following repeated oral dose administration (20 to 60 mg/kg/day) to epileptic children (4 to 12 years of age), levetiracetam was rapidly absorbed. Peak plasma concentration was observed 0.5 to 1.0 hour after dosing. Linear and dose proportional increases were observed for peak plasma concentrations and area under the curve. The elimination half-life was approximately 5 hours. The apparent body clearance was 1.1 mL/min/kg.

Infants and children (1 month to 4 years of age).

Following single dose administration (20 mg/kg) of a 10% oral solution to epileptic children (1 month to 4 years of age), levetiracetam was rapidly absorbed and peak plasma concentrations were observed approximately 1 hour after dosing. The pharmacokinetic results indicated that half-life was shorter (5.3 h) than for adults (7.2 h) and apparent clearance was faster (1.5 mL/min/kg) than for adults (0.96 mL/min/kg).

Renal impairment.

The apparent body clearance of both levetiracetam and its major metabolite (ucb L057) is correlated to the creatinine clearance. It is therefore recommended to adjust the maintenance daily dose of Keppra, based on creatinine clearance in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).
In anuric endstage renal disease adult subjects the half-life was approximately 25 and 3.1 hours during interdialytic and intradialytic periods respectively. The fractional removal of levetiracetam was 51% during a typical 4 hour dialysis session.

Hepatic impairment.

In subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, there was no relevant modification of the clearance of levetiracetam. In most subjects with severe hepatic impairment, the clearance of levetiracetam was reduced by more than 50% due to concomitant renal impairment (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Levetiracetam was negative in gene mutation assays (bacterial, Chinese hamster ovary/ HGPRT locus) and in assays for chromosomal damage in vitro and in vivo (Chinese hamster ovary cells, mouse micronucleus assay). The hydrolysis product and major human metabolite (ucb L057) was not mutagenic in bacterial reverse mutation assays or the in vitro mouse lymphoma assay.

Carcinogenicity.

There was no evidence of carcinogenicity following administration of levetiracetam in the diet to rats or orally to mice for 104 weeks, associated with respective systemic exposures (plasma AUC) up to 4-fold and 8-fold that in humans at the maximal recommended clinical dose of 3000 mg/day.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Keppra film-coated tablets contain the following excipients: croscarmellose sodium, macrogol 6000, silica-colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate and the coating specified below:
250 mg tablets: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol 3350, talc and indigo carmine CI73015.
500 mg tablets: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol 3350, talc and iron oxide yellow CI77492.
750 mg tablets*: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol 3350, talc, iron oxide red CI77491 and sunset yellow FCF CI15985.
1000 mg tablets: polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol 3350 and talc.
*Not currently distributed in Australia.
Keppra oral solution contains the following excipients: sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, ammonium glycyrrhizate, glycerol, maltitol solution, acesulfame potassium, grape flavour and purified water.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

Keppra film-coated tablets: 2.5 years from date of manufacture.
Keppra oral solution: 3 years from date of manufacture in the unopened container. Once opened, discard after 7 months.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Keppra film-coated tablets: Store below 25°C.
Keppra oral solution: Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Keppra film-coated tablets are blister packed and available in strengths of 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg* and 1000 mg levetiracetam.

250 mg.

Available in blister packs containing 60 tablets.

500 mg.

Available in blister packs containing 10*, 60 and 100* tablets.

750 mg*.

Available in blister packs containing 60* tablets.

1000 mg.

Available in blister packs containing 10*, 60 and 100* tablets.
*Not currently distributed in Australia.
Keppra oral solution is packed in 300 mL amber bottles with a child resistant closure and is available as 100 mg/mL strength. The pack also contains a 10 mL oral syringe with a graduation every 0.25 mL (25 mg) and an adaptor for the syringe.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical name: (S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide.
Molecular formula: C8H14N2O2.

Chemical structure.


CAS number.

102767-28-2.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4.

Summary Table of Changes