Epilepsy is a common disease belonging to the group of neuropsychiatric. The disease is chronic and it is completely impossible to recover from it. The patient may feel normal for a long time. During an exacerbation, a convulsive attack occurs, which poses a danger to the patient's life. To prevent exacerbation of epilepsy, various medications are used. A drug called Keppra is popular. Reviews of experts about him are mostly positive.
Release form and composition
The drug is available in the form of tablets and a solution for internal use. The medication belongs to the group of anticonvulsants. The main active ingredient is levetiracetam dihydrochloride. As excipients, croscarmellose sodium, silicon dioxide, macrogol, magnesium stearate are used. Components such as sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium hydrochloride, and acetic acid are additionally used in the solution.
The mechanism of action of the main component is significantly different from the known antiepileptic drugs. Levetiracetam dihydrochloride helps to reduce the release of calcium from internal neuronal depots. The activity of the drug is proven in relation to various forms of epileptic seizures.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral administration, Keppra (tablets) is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Adsorption is linear. The concentration of the main component in the blood plasma can be easily predicted based on the dose that the patient takes. The bioavailability of the drug is 100%.
The maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is achieved one and a half hours after ingestion. The therapeutic effect can be seen after a few days, provided that the tablets are taken twice a day. "Keppra" solution is much faster. The patient sees the first results the very next day after the start of therapy.
Indications
As monotherapy, the Keppra drug is most often used. Reviews show that treatment gives good results. Therefore, the use of other medicines is not necessary. The medicine can be prescribed for partial seizures in adults and children over 4 years old, suffering from epilepsy. With the manifestation of myoclinic seizures, the drug can also be prescribed to patients older than 12 years.
As part of the complex therapy, “Keppra” (syrup) can be used if partial seizures with secondary generalization are observed in patients older than 1 month. If we are talking about preschool children, treatment takes place only in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor.
In pediatrics, the drug is used with caution. Negative effects on young patients have not been previously observed. However, experts note that the kids who are being treated have a poor memory, the desire for learning is significantly reduced. The drug "Depakin Keppra" is used only if other, more gentle means do not give a positive result.
Contraindications
The Keppra medication has its contraindications. Instructions for use indicate that the medicine in the form of tablets can not be prescribed to patients under 4 years of age. For children, the drug in the form of a solution or syrup is more suitable. But even in this form, the remedy is not prescribed for babies of the first month of life. The medicine cannot be used by patients who have impaired fructose tolerance. Neglecting this rule can lead to serious side effects.
The medicine is not prescribed for people with severe renal, as well as liver failure. For elderly patients (over 65 years old), the drug is used with caution. Treatment takes place in a medical institution under the supervision of a doctor.
An anticonvulsant drug can provoke the development of an allergic reaction. In some patients, hypersensitivity to certain components of the drug may appear. With the development of any unpleasant symptoms, you should stop taking the medication and consult a specialist for advice.
special instructions
If there is a need to cancel the administration of an anticonvulsant, this should be done gradually. A sudden cessation of the use of tablets or syrup can provoke the onset of an epileptic seizure. Concomitant medications are also phased out gradually.
Patients who have kidney and liver diseases are advised to undergo a comprehensive study of the body before starting treatment. This will identify possible contraindications. An anticonvulsant drug can have a negative effect on kidney function. In some cases, a dose adjustment may be required.
In connection with reports of suicidal intentions of patients who were treated with Keppra, relatives should not leave patients alone for a long time. When the first symptoms of depression appear, you should seek help from your doctor.
Dosage
The medicine "Keppra" is taken twice a day. In the case of monotherapy, for patients over sixteen years of age, the medication is prescribed in the form of tablets. The initial dosage is 500 mg per day. This norm is divided into two doses of 250 mg. After some time, the dosage can be increased to 1000 mg per day. The maximum rate cannot exceed 3000 mg.
As part of complex therapy, children older than 1 month may be prescribed a drug in the form of a syrup. The dosage is determined based on the patient’s body weight and is 7 mg per 1 kg of weight. If the child tolerates the medicine normally, after a week the dosage can be increased to 21 mg per 1 kg of weight. Treatment of children under 3 years of age should be strictly in a medical institution under the supervision of a pediatrician. The dosage for children with a body weight of more than 50 kg is the same as for adults (500 mg per day).
It is worth remembering that the Keppra 500 drug is excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, in patients who have some deviations in the functioning of this body, a dose adjustment may be necessary. The daily rate will be somewhat lower in the treatment of people over 65 years of age.
Overdose
Side effects may develop if you use excessive amounts of Keppra tablets. Reviews show that the first symptoms of an overdose are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, anxiety, depression of consciousness. At night, the patient may be disturbed by sleep, nightmares will appear.
In the acute period, an overdose is treated by gastric lavage. At home, you can try to induce vomiting on your own. Then activated carbon is prescribed. In addition,
symptomatic treatment may be carried out in a medical facility.
Side effects
Unpleasant symptoms may also appear if the correct dosage of Keppra is observed. Levetiracetam at the initial stage of treatment may cause excessive drowsiness. This phenomenon is temporary and does not require discontinuation of therapy. The patient may experience symptoms such as headache, imbalance, decreased concentration, memory impairment.
On the part of the digestive system, side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite can be observed. In some cases, anorexia develops. Patients completely refuse food. In this case, treatment should only take place under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital setting.
With prolonged use of the drug "Keppra" side effects can occur in the form of dermatological reactions. This is skin itching, redness, peeling, a small rash. Visual impairment may also occur. The decision to stop taking the tablets or solution is made by a specialist. In some cases, it is enough to adjust the dosage so that the manifestation of adverse reactions decreases.
Drug interaction
The main active ingredient does not interact with anticonvulsants. Therefore, the medicine "Keppra" may be part of the complex treatment of epilepsy. If the daily dosage of the drug exceeds 1000 mg, oral contraceptives should be taken with caution. The pharmacokinetics of hormonal agents under the influence of the Keppra medicine can be changed.
It is not recommended to use anticonvulsants with topiramate. Significantly increases the risk of anorexia.
Keppra tablets are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach. The absorption rate of the main active ingredient is significantly reduced, provided that the drug is used after eating.
There are no data on the interaction of the drug with alcohol.
Analogs
In pharmacies, there are many high-quality anticonvulsants. Therefore, if the necessary medicine could not be found, you can always find a good analogue. A qualified doctor will come to help in this matter. He will tell you which medication is suitable in a particular case. The drug Lamictal is popular among specialists. The main active ingredient is lamotrigine. Lactose monohydrate, sodium carboxymethyl starch, yellow iron oxide, magnesium stearate, and also povidone are auxiliary substances. The drug can be prescribed as part of the complex treatment of epilepsy for patients older than 3 years.
What else can replace the Keppra medicine? Analogs are presented in pharmacies in a wide range. Pills "Komviron" showed themselves well. Like Keppara, this drug is based on levetiracetam dihydrochloride. The medicine can be used during pregnancy and lactation. However, you should first consult with your doctor. Tablets are prescribed if the intended benefit exceeds the possible harm to the child.
In the treatment of epilepsy, Epiterra tablets are widely used. Here, the main active ingredient is levetiracetam. As auxiliary substances, corn starch, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, and also magnesium stearate are used. The medication is prescribed to treat patients older than twelve years. For preschool children, it is strictly contraindicated.
Reviews about the medicine "Keppra"
Patients with epilepsy know the medicine "Keppra". Reviews about the medicine can be heard for the most part positive. The main active ingredient contributes to a significant reduction in the number of convulsive seizures. However, side effects may develop at the initial stage of treatment. They are temporary and do not require discontinuation of therapy.
Negative reviews about the drug in most cases occur in those patients who have not studied the instructions enough. The dosage should be carefully observed and the doctor advised of any adverse reactions.
Where could I buy?
The drug is presented in many pharmacies. It is sold only by prescription. Therefore, it will not be possible to purchase tablets or solution without a doctor's prescription. If you order the drug online, you can save a lot. You will have to pay about 900 rubles for packing Keppra tablets. Instructions for use, reviews about the medication - all this can be clarified with the manager in the online pharmacy.