In one study, adults with partial
seizures that added levetiracetam to the
seizure medications they were already taking reduced the frequency of their seizures by up to 30.1 percent, on average. Similar results were seen in a study of levetiracetam for partial seizures in children age 4 to 16 years old.
In another study, people age 12 and older with myoclonic seizures added levetiracetam to their seizure medications. As many as 60.4 percent of these people had at least 50 percent more seizure-free days, compared to before they added levetiracetam to their medications.
Levetiracetam has also been studied for generalized tonic-clonic seizures. In one study, people who added levetiracetam to the seizure medications they were already taking reduced the frequency of their seizures by up to 77.6 percent.
When and How to Take Levetiracetam
Some general considerations for when and how to take levetiracetam include the following:
- Levetiracetam comes in tablet and oral liquid forms, and is taken by mouth twice daily.
- Levetiracetam also comes in an injectable form that is given intravenously (through an IV) to people who cannot take levetiracetam by mouth (such as during hospitalization).
- Levetiracetam can be taken with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- If you are taking the oral liquid form (levetiracetam solution), make sure you know exactly how to measure your dose. In general, household spoons are not accurate enough for medication use. Ask your pharmacist about the best way to measure your levetiracetam dose.
- Levetiracetam should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the drug in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Levetiracetam will not work if you stop taking it. Do not stop taking levetiracetam without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Keppra Withdrawal).
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