Medication info
Keppra 250 mg (Levetiracetam)

Keppra 250 mg (Levetiracetam)

Prescription medicationTabletOral
Ingredient · strength
Levetiracetam›250mg / 1 tablet
Manufacturer / importer
Dong-A ST Co., Ltd.
Appearance
Blue oval film-coated tablet
Packaging
30 tablets/bottle
Approval status
Active

MFDS item code 201207538 · Approved 2012.10.30 · Insurance code 642506840

Summary

Main use
Treatment of partial, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Who takes it
Adults · Children
Adult dose
Kepiram Tablets 250mg is administered orally and may be taken with or without food, with a sufficient amount of water. The daily dose is divided into 2 equal doses and administered twice daily. For monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures, initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily; the dose may be increased or decreased every 2 to 4 weeks according to clinical response. The maximum recommended dose is 3000mg per day. For adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, initiate treatment with 1000mg per day (500mg twice daily); the dose may be increased or decreased according to clinical response, up to the maximum recommended dose of 3000mg per day. For patients with renal impairment, adjust the dose according to creatinine clearance: in patients with normal renal function, 500-1500mg twice daily; for mild impairment, 500-1000mg twice daily; for moderate impairment, 250-750mg twice daily; for severe impairment, 250-500mg twice daily; patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis should receive 500-1000mg once daily. An initial loading dose of 750mg is recommended on the first day of treatment, followed by an additional dose of 250-500mg after dialysis. The drug may be administered orally or intravenously. When switching the route of administration, maintain the same total daily dose and dosing frequency without dose adjustment.
Child dose
Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures (aged 4 years or older): For children aged 4 to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years weighing less than 50 kg, initiate treatment with 10mg/kg twice daily. The dose may be increased up to 60mg/kg per day according to clinical response and tolerability; dose changes should not exceed 20mg/kg per day every 2 weeks. For children weighing 20kg or less, it is recommended to initiate treatment with the 100mg/ml oral solution. For children weighing 20~40kg, initiate treatment with 250mg twice daily and increase the dose by 500mg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 1500mg per day. For children weighing more than 40kg, initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily and increase the dose by 1000mg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 3000mg per day. The dose for children weighing 50kg or more is the same as that for adults. Adjunctive therapy for myoclonic seizures (aged 12 years or older): Initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily; following the physician's assessment, the initial dose may be reduced to 250mg twice daily. The dose may be increased or decreased every 2 weeks according to clinical response, up to a maximum of 3000mg per day. Adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (aged 12 years or older): For adolescents aged 12-17 years weighing less than 50 kg, initiate treatment with 10mg/kg twice daily and increase the dose by 20mg/kg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 60mg/kg per day. For children with renal impairment and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg, adjust the dose according to creatinine clearance: in patients with normal renal function, 10-30mg/kg twice daily; for mild impairment, 10-20mg/kg twice daily; for moderate impairment, 5-15mg/kg twice daily; for severe impairment, 5-10mg/kg twice daily; patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis should receive 10-20mg/kg once daily. A loading dose of 15mg/kg on the first day is recommended, followed by an additional 5-10mg/kg after dialysis. Not recommended for infants younger than 1 month. Tablets are not suitable for children 4 years or younger; the oral solution should be administered. Injection is not recommended for children younger than 16 years.

Ingredients

Manufacturer
Dong-A ST Co., Ltd.

Efficacy & effects

Treatment of partial, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures

  • Secondary generalized seizures
  • partial seizures
  • myoclonic seizures
  • primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
View approved original text

This medication is used as a monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in patients with epilepsy aged 4 years or older. It is particularly effective in treating partial seizures or secondary generalized seizures, regardless of background. It can be administered as an adjunct therapy when symptoms are not well controlled with first-line antiepileptic medications. Additionally, it is used for the treatment of specific seizures in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with myoclonic epilepsy and idiopathic generalized epilepsy. The injectable form is given to patients who cannot take the oral formulation. This drug effectively improves various forms of epileptic seizures.

How to take

Adult dose

Kepiram Tablets 250mg is administered orally and may be taken with or without food, with a sufficient amount of water. The daily dose is divided into 2 equal doses and administered twice daily. For monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures, initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily; the dose may be increased or decreased every 2 to 4 weeks according to clinical response. The maximum recommended dose is 3000mg per day. For adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, initiate treatment with 1000mg per day (500mg twice daily); the dose may be increased or decreased according to clinical response, up to the maximum recommended dose of 3000mg per day. For patients with renal impairment, adjust the dose according to creatinine clearance: in patients with normal renal function, 500-1500mg twice daily; for mild impairment, 500-1000mg twice daily; for moderate impairment, 250-750mg twice daily; for severe impairment, 250-500mg twice daily; patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis should receive 500-1000mg once daily. An initial loading dose of 750mg is recommended on the first day of treatment, followed by an additional dose of 250-500mg after dialysis. The drug may be administered orally or intravenously. When switching the route of administration, maintain the same total daily dose and dosing frequency without dose adjustment.

Child dose

Monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures (aged 4 years or older): For children aged 4 to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years weighing less than 50 kg, initiate treatment with 10mg/kg twice daily. The dose may be increased up to 60mg/kg per day according to clinical response and tolerability; dose changes should not exceed 20mg/kg per day every 2 weeks. For children weighing 20kg or less, it is recommended to initiate treatment with the 100mg/ml oral solution. For children weighing 20~40kg, initiate treatment with 250mg twice daily and increase the dose by 500mg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 1500mg per day. For children weighing more than 40kg, initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily and increase the dose by 1000mg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 3000mg per day. The dose for children weighing 50kg or more is the same as that for adults. Adjunctive therapy for myoclonic seizures (aged 12 years or older): Initiate treatment with 500mg twice daily; following the physician's assessment, the initial dose may be reduced to 250mg twice daily. The dose may be increased or decreased every 2 weeks according to clinical response, up to a maximum of 3000mg per day. Adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (aged 12 years or older): For adolescents aged 12-17 years weighing less than 50 kg, initiate treatment with 10mg/kg twice daily and increase the dose by 20mg/kg per day every 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 60mg/kg per day. For children with renal impairment and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg, adjust the dose according to creatinine clearance: in patients with normal renal function, 10-30mg/kg twice daily; for mild impairment, 10-20mg/kg twice daily; for moderate impairment, 5-15mg/kg twice daily; for severe impairment, 5-10mg/kg twice daily; patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis should receive 10-20mg/kg once daily. A loading dose of 15mg/kg on the first day is recommended, followed by an additional 5-10mg/kg after dialysis. Not recommended for infants younger than 1 month. Tablets are not suitable for children 4 years or younger; the oral solution should be administered. Injection is not recommended for children younger than 16 years.

Precautions

As this medication is used for treating epilepsy, there may be an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors during treatment, therefore patients and guardians should carefully monitor for mood changes or abnormal behaviors. Psychiatric side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, coordination problems, and behavioral disturbances may occur during treatment, especially within the first 4 weeks. Sudden discontinuation of the medication may worsen seizures; thus, the dosage should be reduced gradually according to a physician's instructions. Patients with allergies to the components or related ingredients of this drug should not take it. Patients with suicidal thoughts or depressive symptoms should consult their physician, and dose adjustments may be necessary for patients with impaired kidney function. Blood cell counts may decrease, and symptoms such as abnormal behaviors, aggression, and worsening seizures have been reported; therefore, consultation with healthcare professionals is required if these symptoms occur. Caution is required when prescribed to patients with heart-related conditions or prolonged QT intervals. Drowsiness or decreased concentration may occur when taking this medication, so caution is advised when driving or operating hazardous machinery. In case of overdose, vomiting or gastric lavage can help remove the drug, and dialysis may be necessary if required. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their physician prior to taking this medication, and breastfeeding should be discontinued if taking this drug. In children, the liquid form may be administered from 1 month of age; safety has not been established for infants under 1 month or children under 16 years. In the elderly, dosing should be determined carefully, taking impaired kidney function into consideration. This drug has minimal drug interactions, but blood concentrations should be monitored closely when taken with methotrexate. Hypersensitivity reactions associated with this drug, such as skin rash, fever, and lymphadenopathy, may occur; if any of these symptoms appear, immediate discontinuation and hospital visit are necessary.

Side effects

  • suicidal impulses
  • suicidal behavior
  • depression
  • abnormal changes in mood and behavior
  • drowsiness
  • fatigue
  • coordinative motor disorder
  • behavioral abnormalities
  • asthenia
  • psychotic symptoms
Show 87 more
  • aggression
  • restlessness
  • anger
  • anxiety
  • emotional blunting
  • depersonalization
  • emotional instability
  • hostility
  • hallucinations
  • suicide attempts
  • suicidal ideation
  • excitability
  • abnormal behavior
  • aggression
  • behavioral disorder
  • mood changes
  • delusional behavior
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • tremors
  • balance disorder
  • amnesia
  • ataxia
  • attention deficit
  • memory impairment
  • hyperactivity
  • insomnia
  • irritability
  • personality disorder
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • dyspepsia
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • weight gain
  • vertigo
  • diplopia
  • blurred vision
  • myalgia
  • injury
  • nasopharyngitis
  • infection
  • cough
  • rash
  • eczema
  • pruritus
  • thrombocytopenia
  • chorea-acanthocytosis
  • movement disorders
  • sensory disturbances
  • hypersomnia
  • gait disorders
  • aggravation of seizures
  • psychotic disorders
  • abnormal behavior
  • confusional state
  • panic attacks
  • anger
  • delirium
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • pancreatitis
  • liver failure
  • hepatitis
  • abnormal liver function tests
  • weight loss
  • hyponatremia
  • toxic epidermal necrolysis
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
  • erythema multiforme
  • hair loss
  • muscle weakness
  • pancytopenia
  • agranulocytosis
  • leukopenia
  • neutropenia
  • eosinophilia
  • drug reactions
  • hypersensitivity reactions
  • angioedema
  • anaphylaxis
  • acute kidney injury
  • decreased consciousness
  • respiratory depression
  • coma
  • restlessness
  • aggression

Not everyone experiences these, and they can vary from person to person.

Storage

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to protect it from air and moisture. Keeping the storage temperature between 1°C and 30°C at room temperature is recommended.

Appearance and packaging

Appearance

Blue oval film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle

Same-ingredient medicines

Even with the same ingredient, strength, dosage form and how it is taken can differ.

Even with the same ingredient, the dose and directions can differ by strength and dosage form. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before switching from a medication you are already taking.

Questions about this medicine

No questions yet.

For anything that needs medical judgment, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Related searches

Search tags

Suggested searches

This drug information is based on data provided by the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Consult a doctor or pharmacist for accurate dosage, administration, and usage instructions.