levetiracetam
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.
What is Spritam (levetiracetam)?
What is Spritam (levetiracetam) used for?
- 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)
How Spritam (levetiracetam) works
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.
Drug facts
Side effects of Spritam (levetiracetam)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Weakness (15%)
- Sleepiness (15%)
- Headache (14%)
- Infection (13%)
- Dizziness (9%)
- Pain (7%)
Children:
- Headache (19%)
- Common cold symptoms (15%)
- Vomiting (15%)
- Sleepiness (13%)
- Tiredness (11%)
- Aggression (10%)
- Cough (9%)
- Stuffy nose (9%)
- Stomach pain (9%)
- Lower appetite (8%)
- Abnormal behavior (7%)
- Dizziness (7%)
- Irritability (7%)
- Throat pain (7%)
Less Common Side Effects
Adults:
- Depression
- Nervousness
- Sore throat
- Stuffy nose
- Low appetite
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Vertigo (a feeling of movement or spinning)
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Double vision
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in arms or legs
Children:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Confusion
- Bruising
- Joint pain
Spritam (levetiracetam) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Unusual changes in mood, thoughts, or behavior
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
- Serious allergic reaction: hives; severe rash; trouble breathing; swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or throat
- Serious skin reaction: painful blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling; with or without sore throat, fever, tiredness, or rash
- Low blood cell counts: severe weakness, fever, getting sick more often, bleed or bruise more easily
The following Spritam (levetiracetam) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Increase in blood pressure in children
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, swelling, and blistering of the skin over hands and feet
- Trouble walking
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
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Pros and cons of Spritam (levetiracetam)
Pros
- 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
Cons
- 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
Pharmacist tips for Spritam (levetiracetam)
- 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.
Common questions about Spritam (levetiracetam)
It isn't clear what specific side effects can happen later during treatment as you continue to take Spritam (levetiracetam). But there are a few side effects and risks that might last while you're taking the medication. A clinical study showed that some people who take levetiracetam for more than a year can still feel sleepy at times and have changes in mood. In addition, antiepileptics can raise the risk of having thoughts of harming yourself. It's possible for you to continue to have this risk as you continue to take Spritam (levetiracetam). Check in with your prescriber about any bothersome or concerning side effects while you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam).
No. Spritam (levetiracetam) isn't a controlled substance because it doesn't have a risk of dependence or misuse.
No. Weight gain wasn't a side effect that people who took Spritam (levetiracetam) reported during clinical studies. Keep in mind that there are other seizure medications that are more likely to cause weight gain. So it's possible that your other medications are affecting your weight if you're taking other seizure medications at the same time as Spritam (levetiracetam). Contact your prescriber if you have concerning weight changes while you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam).
A skin rash isn't a common side effect of Spritam (levetiracetam). But a skin rash can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction (like anaphylaxis) or a rare but serious skin reaction to the medication. Get medical help right away if you notice a rash that first appears on the chest, face, or hands and feet and then spreads; a rash that changes appearance; a widespread rash across the body; hives; or a painful rash.
No, but they're very similar. Spritam and Keppra are two brand-name medications that contain the same active ingredient, levetiracetam. They're both used to treat seizures in adults and children of certain ages. The main difference is their formulations. Spritam is a tablet that breaks apart when you place it on the tongue and take a sip of liquid. You don't swallow the Spritam tablet whole. Keppra is available as immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XR) tablets that are swallowed whole. There's also an oral liquid version of Keppra. The Keppra IR tablets and oral liquid are taken twice per day, like Spritam. But the Keppra XR tablets are taken once per day. Ask your prescriber if you have specific questions about comparing Keppra and Spritam.
No, don't crush Spritam (levetiracetam). The tablet breaks apart in the mouth when you place it on the tongue and then take a sip of liquid. This makes Spritam (levetiracetam) a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole.
Speak with your prescriber about the risks and benefits of taking Spritam (levetiracetam) while pregnant. If you take this medication during pregnancy, your prescriber will follow up with you more often. You also might need blood tests done often to check the medication levels in your blood and possible dose adjustments. Spritam (levetiracetam) might not have as high of a risk of causing birth defects as other seizure medications. But the levels of levetiracetam in the body can drop during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. This can mean that the medication might not work as well to control seizures. If you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam) while pregnant, you're encouraged to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry. This program helps researchers learn more about the effects of the medication during pregnancy.
Discuss with your obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) or prescriber about whether it's safe to breastfeed while you're taking Spritam (levetiracetam). Based on available research, it might make your breastfed baby sleepier if you nurse while you're taking this medication. It also might affect how much weight your baby can gain or how well they can reach developmental milestones. The medication might also affect your milk supply.
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Risks and warnings for Spritam (levetiracetam)
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.
Abnormal mood, thoughts, or behavior
- 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).
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- 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.
Sleepiness, tiredness, and problems with concentration and coordination
- 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.
Risk of serious allergic reaction or serious skin reaction
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.
Withdrawal seizures if you stop taking Spritam (levetiracetam) suddenly
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).
Low blood cell counts
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.
Higher blood pressure in young children
- 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.
Spritam (levetiracetam) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 tablets for oral suspension of 250mg | 1 carton | $114.25 | $114.25 |
Typical dosage for Spritam (levetiracetam)
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.
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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).
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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.
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