Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Levetiracetam may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy). Levetiracetam Amarox is used:
2.
e Levetiracetam Amarox
Do not take Levetiracetam Amarox
• • • •
If you suffer from kidney problems, follow your doctor's instructions. He/she may decide if your dose should be adjusted. If you notice any slowdown in the growth or unexpected puberty development of your child, please contact your doctor. A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as Levetiracetam Amarox have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you have any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation, please contact your doctor. If you have a family or medical history of irregular heart rhythm (visible on an electrocardiogram), or if you have a disease and/or take a treatment that make(s) you prone to heartbeat irregularities or salt imbalances.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or last longer than a few days:
Levetiracetam Amarox contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and maltitol Levetiracetam Amarox oral solution includes methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed). Levetiracetam Amarox oral solution also contains maltitol. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per ml, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free' 3.
Levetiracetam Amarox
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Levetiracetam Amarox must be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the same time each day. Take the oral solution following your doctor's instructions. Monotherapy (from 16 years of age) Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (from 16 years of age): Measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package for patients 4 years and above. Recommended dose: Levetiracetam Amarox is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 5 ml (500mg) and 15 ml (1500mg). When you will first start taking Levetiracetam Amarox, your doctor will prescribe you a lower dose during 2 weeks before giving you the lowest daily dose. Add-on therapy Dose in adults and adolescents (12 to 17 years): Measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package for patients of 4 years and above. Recommended dose: Levetiracetam Amarox is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 5 ml (500mg) and 15 ml (1500mg). Dose in children 6 months and older: Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam Amarox according to the age, weight and dose. For children 6 months to 4 years, measure the appropriate dosage using the 3 ml syringe included in the package. For children above 4 years, measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package. Recommended dose: Levetiracetam Amarox is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 0.1 ml (10mg) and 0.3 ml (30mg), per kg bodyweight of the child. (see table below for dose examples). Dose in children 6 months and older: Weight Starting dose: 0.1 ml/kg twice daily 6 kg 0.6 ml twice daily 8 kg 0.8 ml twice daily 10 kg 1 ml twice daily
Maximum dose: 0.3 ml/kg twice daily 1.8 ml twice daily 2.4 ml twice daily 3 ml twice daily
15 kg 20 kg 25 kg From 50 kg
1.5 ml twice daily 2 ml twice daily 2.5 ml twice daily 5 ml twice daily
4.5 ml twice daily 6 ml twice daily 7.5 ml twice daily 15 ml twice daily
Dose in infants (1 month to less than 6 months): For infants 1 month to less than 6 months, measure the appropriate dosage using the 1 ml syringe included in the package. Recommended dose: Levetiracetam Amarox is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 0.07 ml (7mg) and 0.21 ml (21mg), per kg bodyweight of the infant. (see table below for dose examples). Dose in infants (1 month to less than 6 months): Weight Starting dose: 0.07 ml/kg twice daily 4 kg 0.3 ml twice daily 5 kg 0.35 ml twice daily 6 kg 0.45 ml twice daily 7 kg 0.5 ml twice daily
Maximum dose: 0.21 ml/kg twice daily 0.85 ml twice daily 1.05 ml twice daily 1.25 ml twice daily 1.5 ml twice daily
Method of administration: After measuring the correct dosage with an appropriate syringe, Levetiracetam Amarox oral solution may be diluted in a glass of water or baby's bottle. You may take Levetiracetam Amarox with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of Levetiracetam Amarox may be experienced. Instructions on how to use the syringe: • Open the bottle: press the cap and turn it anticlockwise (figure 1)
•
Follow these steps the first time you take Levetiracetam Amarox: − Take off the adaptor from the oral syringe (figure 2). − Put the adaptor into the top of the bottle (figure 3). Make sure it is fixed well in place. You do not need to remove the adaptor after use.
•
Follow these steps each time you take Levetiracetam Amarox: − Put the oral syringe into the adaptor opening (figure 4). − Turn the bottle upside down (figure 5).
−
Hold the bottle upside down in one hand and use the other hand to fill the oral syringe.
−
Pull the plunger down to fill the oral syringe with a small amount of solution (figure 5A).
−
Pull the plunger down to the millilitre (ml) dose marker on the oral syringe prescribed by your doctor
−
Then push the plunger up to remove any possible air bubbles (figure 5B). (figure 5C). The plunger may rise back up the barrel on the first dosage. Therefore, ensure that the plunger is kept in position until the dosing syringe is disconnected from the bottle.
−
Turn the bottle the right way up (figure 6A). Remove the syringe from the adaptor (figure 6B).
−
Empty the contents of the syringe in a glass of water or baby's bottle by pushing the plunger to the bottom of the syringe (figure 7).
− − − −
Drink the whole contents of the glass/baby's bottle. Close the bottle with the plastic screw cap. (you do not need to remove the adaptor). To clean the syringe, rinse with cold water only, moving the plunger several times up and down to take up and expel the water, without separating the two components (figure 8). Keep the bottle, the oral syringe and the leaflet in the carton.
Duration of treatment:
4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately, or go to your nearest emergency department, if you experience:
•
• • • • •
flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face followed by an extended rash with a high temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and the involvement of other body organs (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms [DRESS]). symptoms such as low urine volume, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease of kidney function a skin rash which may form blisters and look like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme) a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) a more severe form of rash causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis) signs of serious mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, somnolence (sleepiness), amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal behaviour or other neurological signs including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These could be symptoms of an encephalopathy.
The most frequently reported adverse reactions were nasopharyngitis, somnolence (sleepiness), headache, fatigue and dizziness. At the beginning of the treatment or at dose increase side effects like sleepiness, tiredness and dizziness may be more common. These effects should however decrease over time. Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • •
decreased number of all blood cell types; severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction [severe and important allergic reaction], Quincke's oedema [swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat]); decreased blood sodium concentration; suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), thinking abnormal (slow thinking, unable to concentrate); delirium; encephalopathy (see sub-section "Tell your doctor immediately" for a detailed description of symptoms); seizures may become worse or happen more often; uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the head, torso and limbs, difficulty in controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity); change of the heart rhythm (Electrocardiogram); pancreatitis; liver failure, hepatitis; sudden decrease in kidney function; skin rash, which may form blisters and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis); rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and associated blood creatine phosphokinase increase. Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients. limp or difficulty walking; combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, low level of consciousness (may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.
Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10000 people
5.
Levetiracetam Amarox
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Do not use after 7 months of first opening the bottle. This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6.
What Levetiracetam Amarox contains The active substance is levetiracetam. Each ml contains 100 mg of levetiracetam. The other ingredients are: sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), ammonium glycyrrhizate, glycerol (E422), maltitol liquid (E965), acesulfame potassium (E950), grape flavour, purified water. What Levetiracetam Amarox looks like and contents of the pack Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution is a clear, colourless liquid. 200 ml (Containing 150ml of oral solution) amber glass bottle (type III) with a child resistant plastic caps (polypropylene) with Expanded PE wad containing a 1 ml syringe (PP) with plunger (HDPE) and an adaptor (LDPE). (for infants aged 1 month to less than 6 months) 200 ml (Containing 150ml of oral solution) amber glass bottle (type III) with a child resistant plastic caps (polypropylene) with Expanded PE wad containing a 3 ml syringe (PP) with plunger (HDPE) and an adaptor (LDPE). (for infants and young children aged 6 months to less than 4 years) 300 ml amber glass bottle (type III) with a child resistant plastic caps (polypropylene) with Expanded PE wad containing a 10 ml syringe (PP) with plunger (HDPE) and an adaptor (LDPE). (For children aged 4 years and above, adolescents and adults) Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Amarox Limited Congress House, 14 Lyon Road Harrow, HA1 2EN United Kingdom This leaflet was last revised in 02/2026.
Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution comes as oral solution containing 100mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution is levetiracetam.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Desitrend 100 mg/ml Oral Solution, Keppra 100 mg/ml oral solution, Levetiracetam Milpharm 100 mg/ml oral solution. In total there are 5 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Levetiracetam Amarox is indicated as monotherapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy.
Levetiracetam Amarox is indicated as adjunctive therapy
• in the treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in adults, adolescents, children and infants from 1 month of age with epilepsy.
• in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.
• in the treatment of primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with Idiopathic Generalised Epilepsy.
Posology
Partial onset seizures
The recommended dosing for monotherapy (from 16 years of age) and adjunctive therapy is the same; as outlined below.
All indications
Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or more
The initial therapeutic dose is 500 mg twice daily. This dose can be started on the first day of treatment. However, a lower initial dose of 250 mg twice daily may be given based on physician assessment of seizure reduction versus potential side effects. This can be increased to 500 mg twice daily after two weeks.
Depending upon the clinical response and tolerability, the daily dose can be increased up to 1,500 mg twice daily. Dose changes can be made in 250 mg or 500 mg twice daily increases or decreases every two to four weeks.
Adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing below 50 kg and children from 1 month of age
The physician should prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form, presentation and strength according to weight, age and dose. Refer to Paediatric population section for dosing adjustments based on weight.
Discontinuation
If levetiracetam has to be discontinued it is recommended to withdraw it gradually (e.g. in adults and adolescents weighing more than 50 kg: 500 mg decreases twice daily every two to four weeks; in infants older than 6 months, children and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg: dose decrease should not exceed 10 mg/kg twice daily every two weeks; in infants (less than 6 months): dose decrease should not exceed 7 mg/ kg twice daily every two weeks).
Special populations
Elderly (65 years and older)
Adjustment of the dose is recommended in elderly patients with compromised renal function (see “Renal impairment” below).
Renal impairment
The daily dose must be individualised according to renal function.
For adult patients, refer to the following table and adjust the dose as indicated. To use this dosing table, an estimate of the patient's creatinine clearance (CLcr) in ml/min is needed. The CLcr in ml/min may be estimated from serum creatinine (mg/dl) determination, for adults and adolescents weighing 50 kg or more, the following formula:
Then CLcr is adjusted for body surface area (BSA) as follows:
Dosing adjustment for adult and adolescent patients weighing more than 50 kg with impaired renal function:
Group
Creatinine clearance (ml/min/1.73m2)
Dose and frequency
Normal
Mild
Moderate
Severe
End-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis(1)
≥ 80
50-79
30-49
< 30
-
500 to 1,500 mg twice daily
500 to 1,000 mg twice daily
250 to 750 mg twice daily
250 to 500 mg twice daily
500 to 1,000 mg once daily(2)
(1) A 750 mg loading dose is recommended on the first day of treatment with levetiracetam.
(2) Following dialysis, a 250 to 500 mg supplemental dose is recommended.
For children with renal impairment, levetiracetam dose needs to be adjusted based on the renal function as levetiracetam clearance is related to renal function. This recommendation is based on a study in adult renally impaired patients.
The CLcr in ml/min/1.73 m2 may be estimated from serum creatinine (mg/dl) determination, for young adolescents, children and infants, using the following formula (Schwartz formula):
ks= 0.45 in Term infants to 1 year old; ks= 0.55 in Children to less than 13 years and in adolescent female; ks= 0.7 in adolescent male
Dosing adjustment for infants, children and adolescent patients weighing less than 50 kg with impaired renal function:
Group
Creatinine clearance (ml/min/1.73m2)
Dose and frequency(1)
Infants 1 to less than 6 months
Infants 6 to 23 months, children and adolescents weighing less than 50 kg
Normal
≥80
7 to 21 mg/kg (0.07 to 0.21 ml/kg) twice daily
10 to 30 mg/kg (0.10 to 0.30 ml/kg) twice daily
Mild
50-79
7 to 14 mg/kg (0.07 to 0.14 ml/kg) twice daily
10 to 20 mg/kg (0.10 to 0.20 ml/kg) twice daily
Moderate
30-49
3.5 to 10.5 mg/kg (0.035 to 0.105 ml/kg) twice daily
5 to 15 mg/kg (0.05 to 0.15 ml/kg) twice daily
Severe
< 30
3.5 to 7 mg/kg (0.035 to 0.07 ml/kg) twice daily
5 to 10 mg/kg (0.05 to 0.10 ml/kg) twice daily
End-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis
--
7 to 14 mg/kg (0.07 to 0.14 ml/kg) once daily(2) (4)
10 to 20 mg/kg (0.10 to 0.20 ml/kg) once daily(3) (5)
(1) Levetiracetam oral solution should be used for doses under 250 mg, for doses not multiple of 250 mg when dosing recommendation is not achievable by taking multiple tablets and for patients unable to swallow tablets.
(2) A 10.5 mg/kg (0.105 ml/kg) loading dose is recommended on the first day of treatment with levetiracetam.
(3) A 15 mg/kg (0.15 ml/kg) loading dose is recommended on the first day of treatment with levetiracetam.
(4) Following dialysis, a 3.5 to 7 mg/kg (0.035 to 0.07 ml/kg) supplemental dose is recommended.
(5) Following dialysis, a 5 to 10 mg/kg (0.05 to 0.10 ml/kg) supplemental dose is recommended.
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is needed in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the creatinine clearance may underestimate the renal insufficiency. Therefore a 50 % reduction of the daily maintenance dose is recommended when the creatinine clearance is < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Paediatric population
The physician should prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form, presentation and strength according to age, weight and dose.
Levetiracetam oral solution is the preferred formulation for use in infants and children under the age of 6 years. In addition, the available dose strengths of the tablets are not appropriate for initial treatment in children weighing less than 25 kg, for patients unable to swallow tablets or for the administration of doses below 250 mg. In all of the above cases Levetiracetam oral solution should be used.
Monotherapy
The safety and efficacy of Levetiracetam in children and adolescents below 16 years as monotherapy treatment have not been established.
No data are available.
Adolescents (16 and 17 years of age) weighing 50 kg or more with partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation with newly diagnosed epilepsy
Please refer to the above section on Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or more.
Add-on therapy for infants aged 6 to 23 months, children (2 to 11 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing less than 50 kg
The initial therapeutic dose is 10 mg/kg twice daily.
Depending upon the clinical response and tolerability, the dose can be increased by 10 mg/kg twice daily every 2 weeks up to 30 mg/kg twice daily. Dose changes should not exceed increases or decreases of 10 mg/kg twice daily every two weeks. The lowest effective dose should be used for all indications.
Dose in children 50 kg or greater is the same as in adults for all indications.
Please refer to the above section on Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or more for all indications.
Dose recommendations for infants from 6 months of age, children and adolescents:
Weight
Starting dose:
10 mg/kg twice daily
Maximum dose:
30 mg/kg twice daily
6 kg(1)
60 mg (0.6 ml) twice daily
180 mg (1.8 ml) twice daily
10 kg(1)
100 mg (1 ml) twice daily
300 mg (3 ml) twice daily
15 kg(1)
150 mg (1.5 ml) twice daily
450 mg (4.5 ml) twice daily
20 kg(1)
200 mg (2 ml) twice daily
600 mg (6 ml) twice daily
25 kg
250 mg twice daily
750 mg twice daily
From 50 kg(2)
500 mg twice daily
1,500 mg twice daily
(1) Children 25 kg or less should preferably start the treatment with Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml oral solution.
(2) Dose in children and adolescents 50 kg or more is the same as in adults.
Add-on therapy for infants aged from 1 month to less than 6 months
The initial therapeutic dose is 7 mg/kg twice daily.
Depending upon the clinical response and tolerability, the dose can be increased by 7 mg/kg twice daily every 2 weeks up to recommended dose of 21 mg/kg twice daily. Dose changes should not exceed increases or decreases of 7 mg/kg twice daily every two weeks. The lowest effective dose should be used.
Infants should start the treatment with Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml oral solution.
Dose recommendations for infants aged from 1 month to less than 6 months:
Weight
Starting dose:
7 mg/kg twice daily
Maximum dose:
21 mg/kg twice daily
4 kg
28 mg (0.3 ml) twice daily
84 mg (0.85 ml) twice daily
5 kg
35 mg (0.35 ml) twice daily
105 mg (1.05 ml) twice daily
7 kg
49 mg (0.5 ml) twice daily
147 mg (1.5 ml) twice daily
Three presentations are available:
- A 300 ml bottle with a 10 ml oral syringe (delivering up to 1000 mg levetiracetam) graduated every 0.25 ml (corresponding to 25 mg).
This presentation should be prescribed for children aged 4 years and older, adolescents and adults.
- A 150ml bottle with a 3 ml oral syringe (delivering up to 300 mg levetiracetam) graduated every 0.1 ml (corresponding to 10 mg) from 0.3 ml to 3 ml and every 0.25 ml (corresponding to 25 mg) from 0.25 ml to 3 ml.
In order to ensure the accuracy of the dosing, this presentation should be prescribed for infants and young children aged from 6 months to less than 4 years.
- A 150ml bottle with a 1 ml oral syringe (delivering up to 100 mg levetiracetam) graduated every 0.05 ml (corresponding to 5 mg)
In order to ensure the accuracy of the dosing, this presentation should be prescribed for infants aged 1 month to less than 6 months.
Method of administration
The oral solution may be diluted in a glass of water or baby's bottle and may be taken with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of Levetiracetam Amarox may be experienced.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or other pyrrolidone derivatives or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Renal impairment
The administration of levetiracetam to patients with renal impairment may require dose adjustment. In patients with severely impaired hepatic function, assessment of renal function is recommended before dose selection (see section 4.2).
Acute Kidney injury
The use of levetiracetam has been very rarely associated with acute kidney injury, with a time to onset ranging from a few days to several months.
Blood cell counts
Rare cases of decreased blood cell counts (neutropenia, agranulocytosis, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia) have been described in association with levetiracetam administration, generally at the beginning of the treatment. Complete blood cell counts are advised in patients experiencing important weakness, pyrexia, recurrent infections or coagulation disorders (section 4.8).
Suicide
Suicide, suicide attempt, suicidal ideation and behaviour have been reported in patients treated with anti-epileptic agents (including levetiracetam). A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of anti-epileptic medicinal products has shown a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The mechanism of this risk is not known.
Therefore, patients should be monitored for signs of depression and/or suicidal ideation and behaviours and appropriate treatment should be considered. Patients (and caregivers of patients) should be advised to seek medical advice should signs of depression and/or suicidal ideation or behaviour emerge.
Abnormal and aggressive behaviours
Levetiracetam may cause psychotic symptoms and behavioural abnormalities including irritability and aggressiveness. Patients treated with levetiracetam should be monitored for developing psychiatric signs suggesting important mood and/or personality changes. If such behaviours are noticed, treatment adaptation or gradual discontinuation should be considered. If discontinuation is considered, please refer to section 4.2.
Worsening of seizures
As with other types of antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam may rarely exacerbate seizure frequency or severity. This paradoxical effect was mostly reported within the first month after levetiracetam initiation or increase of the dose, and was reversible upon drug discontinuation or dose decrease.
Patients should be advised to consult their physician immediately in case of aggravation of epilepsy. Lack of efficacy or seizure worsening has for example been reported in patients with epilepsy associated with sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 8 (SCN8A) mutations.
Electrocardiogram QT interval prolongation
Rare cases of ECG QT interval prolongation have been observed during the post-marketing surveillance. Levetiracetam should be used with caution in patients with QTc-interval prolongation, in patients concomitantly treated with drugs affecting the QTc-interval, or in patients with relevant pre- existing cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances.
Paediatric population
Available data in children did not suggest impact on growth and puberty. However, long term effects on learning, intelligence, growth, endocrine function, puberty and childbearing potential in children remain unknown.
Excipients
Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
It also contains maltitol liquid; patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicinal product.
This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per ml, that is to say essentially “sodium-free”.
Antiepileptic medicinal products
Pre-marketing data from clinical studies conducted in adults indicate that levetiracetam did not influence the serum concentrations of existing antiepileptic medicinal products (phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, gabapentin and primidone) and that these antiepileptic medicinal products did not influence the pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam.
As in adults, there is no evidence of clinically significant medicinal product interactions in paediatric patients receiving up to 60 mg/kg/day levetiracetam.
A retrospective assessment of pharmacokinetic interactions in children and adolescents with epilepsy (4 to 17 years) confirmed that adjunctive therapy with orally administered levetiracetam did not influence the steady-state serum concentrations of concomitantly administered carbamazepine and valproate. However, data suggested a 20 % higher levetiracetam clearance in children taking enzyme-inducing antiepileptic medicinal products. Dose adjustment is not required.
Probenecid
Probenecid (500 mg four times daily), a renal tubular secretion blocking agent, has been shown to inhibit the renal clearance of the primary metabolite, but not of levetiracetam. Nevertheless, the concentration of this metabolite remains low.
Methotrexate
Concomitant administration of levetiracetam and methotrexate has been reported to decrease methotrexate clearance, resulting in increased/prolonged blood methotrexate concentration to potentially toxic levels. Blood methotrexate and levetiracetam levels should be carefully monitored in patients treated concomitantly with the two drugs.
Oral contraceptives and other pharmacokinetics interactions
Levetiracetam 1,000 mg daily did not influence the pharmacokinetics of oral contraceptives (ethinyl-estradiol and levonorgestrel); endocrine parameters (luteinizing hormone and progesterone) were not modified. Levetiracetam 2,000 mg daily did not influence the pharmacokinetics of digoxin and warfarin; prothrombin times were not modified. Co-administration with digoxin, oral contraceptives and warfarin did not influence the pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam.
Laxatives
There have been isolated reports of decreased levetiracetam efficacy when the osmotic laxative macrogol has been concomitantly administered with oral levetiracetam. Therefore, macrogol should not be taken orally for one hour before and for one hour after taking levetiracetam.
Food and alcohol
The extent of absorption of levetiracetam was not altered by food, but the rate of absorption was slightly reduced.
No data on the interaction of levetiracetam with alcohol are available.
Women of child bearing potential
Specialist advice should be given to women who are of childbearing potential. Treatment with levetiracetam should be reviewed when a woman is planning to become pregnant. As with all antiepileptic medicines, sudden discontinuation of levetiracetam should be avoided as this may lead to breakthrough seizures that could have serious consequences for the woman and the unborn child. Monotherapy should be preferred whenever possible because therapy with multiple antiepileptic medicines AEDs could be associated with a higher risk of congenital malformations than monotherapy, depending on the associated antiepileptics.
Pregnancy
A large amount of post marketing data on pregnant women exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy (more than 1800, among which in more than 1500 exposure occurred during the 1st trimester) do not suggest an increase in the risk for major congenital malformations. Limited evidence is available on the neurodevelopment of children exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy in utero. Data from two observational population-based registry studies undertaken in largely the same dataset from the Nordic countries and including more than 1000 children born to women with epilepsy prenatally exposed to levetiracetam monotherapy do not suggest an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disability compared to children born to women with epilepsy not exposed to an antiepileptic drug in utero. The mean follow-up time of children in the levetiracetam group was shorter than for the group of children non exposed to any antiepileptic drug (e.g. 4.4 years vs 6.8 years in one of the studies).
Levetiracetam can be used during pregnancy, if after careful assessment it is considered clinically needed. In such case, the lowest effective dose is recommended.
Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect levetiracetam concentration. Decrease in levetiracetam plasma concentrations has been observed during pregnancy. This decrease is more pronounced during the third trimester (up to 60% of baseline concentration before pregnancy). Appropriate clinical management of pregnant women treated with levetiracetam should be ensured.
Breast-feeding
Levetiracetam is excreted in human breast milk. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended.
However, if levetiracetam treatment is needed during breast-feeding, the benefit/risk of the treatment should be weighed considering the importance of breast-feeding.
Fertility
No impact on fertility was detected in animal studies (see section 5.3). No clinical data are available, potential risk for human is unknown.
Levetiracetam has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Due to possible different individual sensitivity, some patients might experience somnolence or other central nervous system related symptoms, especially at the beginning of treatment or following a dose increase. Therefore, caution is recommended in those patients when performing skilled tasks, e.g. driving vehicles or operating machinery. Patients are advised not to drive or use machines until it is established that their ability to perform such activities is not affected.
Summary of the safety profile
The most frequently reported adverse reactions were nasopharyngitis, somnolence, headache, fatigue and dizziness. The adverse reaction profile presented below is based on the analysis of pooled placebo-controlled clinical trials with all indications studied, with a total of 3,416 patients treated with levetiracetam. These data are supplemented with the use of levetiracetam in corresponding open-label extension studies, as well as post-marketing experience. The safety profile of levetiracetam is generally similar across age groups (adult and paediatric patients) and across the approved epilepsy indications.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse reactions reported in clinical studies (adults, adolescents, children and infants > 1 month) and from post-marketing experience are listed in the following table per System Organ Class and per frequency. Adverse reactions are presented in the order of decreasing seriousness and their frequency is defined as follows: very common (≥1/10); common (≥1/100 to <1/10); uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) and very rare (<1/10,000).
MedDRA SOC
Frequency category
Very common
Common
Uncommon
Rare
Very rare
Infections and infestations
Nasopharyngitis
Infection
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
Pancytopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis
Immune system disorders
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Hypersensitivity (including angioedema and anaphylaxis)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Anorexia
Weight decreased, weight increase
Hyponatraemia
Psychiatric disorders
Depression, hostility/ aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness/irritability
Suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, psychotic disorder, abnormal behaviour, hallucination, anger, confussional state, panic attack, affect lability/mood swings, agitation
Completed suicide, personality disorder, thinking abnormal, delirium
Obsessive compulsive disorder**
Nervous system disorders
Somnolence, headache
Convulsion, balance disorder, dizziness, lethargy, tremor
Amnesia, memory impairment, coordination abnormal/ataxia, paraesthesia, disturbance in attention
Choreoathetosis, dyskinesia, hyperkinesia, gait disturbance, encephalopathy, seizures aggravated, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome(3)
Eye disorders
Diplopia, vision blurred
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Vertigo
Cardiac disorders
Electrocardiogram QT prolonged
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, vomiting, nausea
Pancreatitis
Hepatobiliary disorders
Liver function test abnormal
Hepatic failure, hepatitis
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Acute Kidney injury
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
Alopecia, eczema, pruritus,
Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscular weakness, myalgia
Rhabdomyolysis and blood creatine phosphokinase increased٭
General disorders and administration site conditions
Asthenia/fatigue
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Injury
(1) See Description of selected adverse reactions.
(2) Very rare cases of development of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) in patients with underlying history of OCD or psychiatric disorders have been observed in post-marketing surveillance.
(3)٭ Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.
Description of selected adverse reactions
Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions
Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions (also known as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms, DRESS) have been reported rarely in patients treated with levetiracetam. Clinical manifestations may develop 2 to 8 weeks after starting treatment. These reactions are variable in expression, but typically present with fever, rash, facial oedema, lymphadenopathies haematologic abnormalities and can be associated with involvement of different organ systems, mostly the liver. If multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, levetiracetam should be discontinued.
The risk of anorexia is higher when levetiracetam is co-administered with topiramate. In several cases of alopecia, recovery was observed when levetiracetam was discontinued.
Bone marrow suppression was identified in some of the cases of pancytopenia.
Cases of encephalopathy generally occurred at the beginning of the treatment (few days to a few months) and were reversible after treatment discontinuation.
Paediatric population
In patients aged 1 month to less than 4 years, a total of 190 patients have been treated with levetiracetam in placebo-controlled and open label extension studies. Sixty of these patients were treated with levetiracetam in placebo-controlled studies. In patients aged 4-16 years, a total of 645 patients have been treated with levetiracetam in placebo-controlled and open label extension studies. 233 of these patients were treated with levetiracetam in placebo-controlled studies. In both these paediatric age ranges, these data are supplemented with the post-marketing experience of the use of levetiracetam.
In addition, 101 infants aged less than 12 months have been exposed in a post authorization safety study. No new safety concerns for levetiracetam were identified for infants less than 12 months of age with epilepsy.
The adverse reaction profile of levetiracetam is generally similar across age groups and across the approved epilepsy indications. Safety results in paediatric patients in placebo-controlled clinical studies were consistent with the safety profile of levetiracetam in adults except for behavioural and psychiatric adverse reactions which were more common in children than in adults. In children and adolescents aged 4 to 16 years, vomiting (very common, 11.2%), agitation (common, 3.4%), mood swings (common, 2.1%), affect lability (common, 1.7%), aggression (common, 8.2%), abnormal behaviour (common, 5.6%), and lethargy (common, 3.9%) were reported more frequently than in other age ranges or in the overall safety profile. In infants and children aged 1 month to less than 4 years, irritability (very common, 11.7%) and coordination abnormal (common, 3.3%) were reported more frequently than in other age groups or in the overall safety profile.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled paediatric safety study with a non-inferiority design has assessed the cognitive and neuropsychological effects of levetiracetam in children 4 to 16 years of age with partial onset seizures. It was concluded that Levetiracetam was not different (non inferior) from placebo with regard to the change from baseline of the Leiter-R Attention and Memory, Memory Screen Composite score in the per-protocol population. Results related to behavioural and emotional functioning indicated a worsening in levetiracetam treated patients on aggressive behaviour as measured in a standardised and systematic way using a validated instrument (CBCL – Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist). However, subjects, who took levetiracetam in the long-term open label follow-up study, did not experience a worsening, on average, in their behavioural and emotional functioning; in particular measures of aggressive behaviour were not worse than baseline.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
Symptoms
Somnolence, agitation, aggression, depressed level of consciousness, respiratory depression and coma were observed with Levetiracetam overdoses.
Management of overdose
After an acute overdose, the stomach may be emptied by gastric lavage or by induction of emesis. There is no specific antidote for levetiracetam. Treatment of an overdose will be symptomatic and may include haemodialysis. The dialyser extraction efficiency is 60 % for levetiracetam and 74 % for the primary metabolite.
Ask anything about Levetiracetam Amarox 100 mg/ml oral solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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