Levetiracetam_ Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action

1. Levetiracetam: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action Levetiracetam is a prescription medication used to treat partial seizures and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a type of epilepsy. It's also used in combination with other medications to treat generalized tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonic seizures in adults. Levetiracetam's mechanism of action is not clear; it may work by binding to synaptic vesicle proteins involved in neurotransmission. Levetiracetam has been approved for use in the United States since 2004, but there are few studies available on its long-term effects. Before reading the article you can check out this “AlbenPure”, an online-based pharma company that recently launched “Albendazole Capsules”. Or you can also check out “Albendazole Tablets Price” from their site directly. However, let’s begin by diving into our main blog topic. What Conditions Does Levetiracetam Treat? Levetiracetam can treat a variety of conditions, including: ● ● ● ● ● Epilepsy Seizures Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome Partial onset seizures (seizures that occur in both sides of the brain at once) Myoclonic seizures (jerking movements caused by sudden changes in electrical activity in the brain) Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal convulsions) ● How Does Levetiracetam Work? Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant drug used to treat epilepsy. ● How does Levetiracetam work? Levetiracetam works on the brain by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels, which are involved in the spread of seizure activity. It also prevents glutamate toxicity and blocks calcium channels. In some cases, levetiracetam may also bind to the GABA receptors, but this is not its primary action. The exact mechanism of action is not fully understood yet, but it appears to be different from other anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depacon). Some studies have shown that levetiracetam may also affect serotonin receptors which could explain why some people experience side effects such as sleepiness or feeling tired after taking this medication.

2. How Should I Take Levetiracetam? Take levetiracetam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking levetiracetam without talking to your doctor first, even if you start feeling better. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take more than one dose at a time to make up for missing a dose. Levetiracetam can be taken with or without food. If it causes stomach upset, take levetiracetam with food or an antacid such as calcium carbonate (like Tums), magnesium hydroxide (such as Milk of Magnesia), aluminum hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (such as Maalox), and others are available over-the-counter under various brand names and formulations; check with your pharmacist before using them together because they may differ in their effectiveness at treating some conditions like GERD compared to other potential remedies that don't contain any drug ingredients—especially those containing only inert fillers such as sugar powders or starches that are intended solely for taste enhancement—which means there's no evidence showing how well these products work when used together either orally or topically on skin surfaces where they're applied directly into openings underneath capillaries nearest surface tissue layers so they can enter bloodstreams easily!) How Should I Store Levetiracetam? Levetiracetam should be stored at room temperature in a dark and dry place. Do not leave the drug in your car or other hot places, as this could damage it. Also, do not store Levetiracetam with medicines that can interact with it, such as valproate (Depakene), phenytoin (Phenytek), or lithium (Eskalith). What Are the Possible Side Effects of Levetiracetam? Levetiracetam may cause the following side effects: ● ● ● ● ● ● Dizziness Headache Nausea and vomiting (rare) Tremor (uncontrolled shaking) Muscle twitches and spasms (rare) Loss of balance or coordination What Other Drugs Will Affect Levetiracetam? Levetiracetam can interact with the following medications:

3. ● Anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), and vigabatrin (Sabril) Antipsychotic medications, including clozapine (Clozaril) and risperidone (Risperdal) Anxiolytics such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax). If you are currently taking any of these medications or intend to begin taking them at any time in the future, your doctor should monitor your levetiracetam levels more frequently than usual. If a single dose of levetiracetam is taken with one of these agents and symptoms persist for two weeks after stopping that agent, it is likely there was an interaction between them. ● ● Conclusion Levetiracetam is a safe and effective treatment for epilepsy, but it can cause some side effects. Some of the most common side effects include drowsiness, headache, anxiety and nausea. These are usually mild and will go away after you take your medicine for a few days or weeks. However, if your side effects get worse or don't go away by themselves within two weeks of taking levetiracetam, call your doctor right away so they can adjust your dosage or decide whether another drug would work better for you