Spritam, the brand name for levetiracetam tablets for suspension, is an antiepileptic. This medication is FDA approved for treating different kinds of seizures in adults and children. There are two ways you can take Spritam (levetiracetam). You can place the tablet on the tongue where it breaks apart and then swallow with a small amount of liquid. Or, you can mix the tablet with a small amount of liquid in a cup and then swallow the mixture right away. The dose is typically taken twice per day. Common side effects include weakness, sleepiness, and headache. There isn't a generic available for Spritam (levetiracetam) yet.
Partial-onset seizures in people 4 years and older weighing more than 44 lbs
Myoclonic seizures from juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in people 12 years and older (as add-on treatment)
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 6 years and older (as add-on treatment)
Spritam (levetiracetam) is an antiepileptic (another name for anti-seizure medication). It's not entirely clear how this medication works. But it's thought to work by stopping nerve cells in the brain from releasing certain chemicals. This helps calm your brain activity and prevent seizures from happening.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Can treat different types of seizures in both adults and children
Good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole
Unlikely to cause weight gain
Taken twice per day
Might not be the best option if you have a history of mental health problems (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder)
Can cause behavior changes, such as agitation, anxiety, and irritability
Take Spritam (levetiracetam) twice per day. Try to space your doses apart as evenly as possible. Don't double up on doses unless your prescriber told you to.
You can take Spritam (levetiracetam) with or without food.
Don't push the Spritam (levetiracetam) tablet through the foil packaging because you could break the tablet. To get the tablet out without damaging it, peel the foil away from the blister by bending the peel tab up and lifting it away.
There are two ways you can take Spritam (levetiracetam). The main way is to place the tablet on the tongue, take a sip of liquid, and swallow once the tablet dissolves. The other way is to mix the tablet with liquid in a cup and drink the mixture. Don't swallow the tablet whole. Follow the instructions to take the medication properly.
How to take Spritam (levetiracetam) with a sip of liquid: Use dry hands to place a tablet on your tongue and take a sip of liquid. Don't swallow the liquid until after the tablet completely dissolves on your tongue (it should take a few seconds). Don't swallow the tablet whole or use any broken tablets.
How to mix Spritam (levetiracetam) with a small amount of liquid in a cup: Place a whole tablet into a cup. Add just enough liquid to cover the tablet (typically about 1 tablespoon). Wait for the tablet to completely dissolve in the liquid, and then drink the mixture right away. Add some more liquid to the cup, gently swirl it, and drink the remaining mixture to make sure you've taken all the medication in the cup.
Spritam (levetiracetam) commonly causes sleepiness, weakness, and dizziness. Don't drive or do anything that you need a lot of concentration for until you know how this medication affects you. Also, avoid alcohol because it can make these side effects more intense.
Spritam (levetiracetam) can raise the risk of having suicidal thoughts. Contact your prescriber if you or your loved ones notice any new or worsening changes in your behavior or mood while you're taking this medication. Call 911 right away if anyone notices that you're having suicidal thoughts.
Don't lower your dose or suddenly stop taking Spritam (levetiracetam) without talking to your prescriber first. It can cause your seizures to come back and happen more often. Follow your prescriber's instructions to stop the medication completely, if needed. It usually involves lowering your dose slowly over a period of time.
Spritam (levetiracetam) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: History of mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder
Spritam (levetiracetam) can sometimes cause abnormal mood, thoughts, or behavior. It can make you irritable, aggressive, anxious, or paranoid. This medication can also have the opposite effect and make you feel depressed or withdrawn. Let your prescriber know if you notice unusual changes in mood or thoughts or abnormal behavior while you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam).
Risk factors: Taking other anti-seizure medications
Antiepileptic medications, including Spritam (levetiracetam), can raise your risk of having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. This risk can appear as early as 1 week after you start taking the medication. Speak with your prescriber if you or your loved ones notice any worsening signs of depression while you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam). Call 911 right away if you or anyone around you notices that you have suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness or dizziness
Spritam (levetiracetam) can make you sleepy and tired, which can lead to problems with concentration. Some people who take Spritam (levetiracetam) might also have side effects such as problems with coordination. These side effects most often happen within the first month of treatment.
Make sure you know how Spritam (levetiracetam) affects you before you drive a car or do activities that require concentration or coordination. Talk to your prescriber if you're having problems going about your daily life because of these side effects.
Severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions to Spritam (levetiracetam) are possible. Severe allergic reactions can include drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), severe swelling, and even anaphylaxis. And serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), can happen too.
Anaphylaxis and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, and throat can happen at any time during treatment. And serious skin reactions can happen weeks after you start taking Spritam (levetiracetam) but can also appear after several months of treatment.
Stop taking Spritam (levetiracetam) and get medical help right away if you notice unusual changes in your skin like hives, skin reddening, painful blisters, or skin peeling. Call 911 if you have swelling in the face or trouble breathing. Sometimes, these allergic reactions happen with or without a fever or swollen lymph nodes so look out for these symptoms as well.
Don't stop taking Spritam (levetiracetam) without talking to your prescriber first. In general, you shouldn't stop taking antiepileptic (anti-seizure) medications like Spritam (levetiracetam) too suddenly. It can lead to more seizures due to medication withdrawal. It might also lead to an emergency situation called status epilepticus. Most times, your prescriber will lower your dose slowly over time to prevent these complications if you want to stop taking Spritam (levetiracetam).
Although rare, Spritam (levetiracetam) can cause low blood cell counts. During clinical studies, some people had a drop in their red blood cell, white blood cell, or platelet levels. Contact your prescriber if you feel a lot weaker than usual or have a fever, infections that keep coming back, or unusual bleeding (e.g., easy bleeding or bruising, bleeding that takes a long time to stop). These can be signs of low blood cell levels. Your prescriber will order a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) for you to get to check your levels.
Risk factors: Children younger than 4 years of age
In clinical studies, children younger than 4 years of age who took Spritam (levetiracetam) were at greater risk of having higher blood pressure than those who took a placebo. This effect didn't seem to happen in older children or adults.
Your child might get their blood pressure checked each time they follow up with their prescriber while they're taking Spritam (levetiracetam). Follow the prescriber's instructions if they recommend you to check your child's blood pressure at home. Let the prescriber know if you notice that your child's blood pressure is unusually high.
The Spritam (levetiracetam) tablet typically dissolves in the mouth after about 10 seconds. Place the tablet on the tongue, take a sip of a liquid, and swallow once the tablet dissolves. Or, you can dissolve the tablet in a cup with a tablespoon of liquid before you drink the mixture.
Partial-onset seizures
People 4 years and older weighing over 88 lbs: The typical starting dose is 500 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 1,500 mg twice daily (a total of 3,000 mg per day).
People 4 years and older weighing 44 lbs to 88 lbs: The typical starting dose is 250 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 750 mg twice daily (a total of 1,500 mg per day).
Myoclonic seizures related to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
People 12 years and older: The typical starting dose is 500 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 1,500 mg twice daily (a total of 3,000 mg per day).
Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
People 6 years and older weighing over 88 lbs: The typical starting dose is 500 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 1,500 mg twice daily (a total of 3,000 mg per day).
People 6 years and older weighing 44 lbs to 88 lbs: The typical starting dose is 250 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum dose is 750 mg twice daily (a total of 1,500 mg per day).
The dose might differ if you have kidney problems.
Partial-onset seizures in people 4 years and older weighing more than 44 lbs
Myoclonic seizures from juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in people 12 years and older (as add-on treatment)
Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 6 years and older (as add-on treatment)
Seizures (partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures)
Seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only
Bipolar disorder - immediate-release only
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