Levetiracetam
Levetiracetam · Say it: LEE-ve-tye-RA-se-tam
Levetiracetam is a prescription seizure medicine taken by mouth. It is used to treat certain types of seizures in people from 1 month of age and older.
Used for
Partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older
Comes as
250 mg tablets: blue, oblong, film-coated, scored; 500 mg tablets: yellow, oblong, film-coated, scored
Common side effects
In adults: sleepiness (somnolence), weakness (asthenia), infection, and dizziness, In children: tiredness (fatigue), aggression, stuffy nose (nasal congestion), decreased appetite, and irritability, Headache, pain, and changes in mood or behavior such as anger, anxiety, agitation, apathy, or mood swings
| Generic name | Levetiracetam |
|---|---|
| Brand names | — |
| Type of medicine | An antiepileptic medicine, meaning a medicine used to treat seizures |
| How it is sold | Human prescription drug, taken by mouth as a tablet (an oral solution is also available) |
| Comes as | 250 mg tablets: blue, oblong, film-coated, scored; 500 mg tablets: yellow, oblong, film-coated, scored; 750 mg tablets: orange, oblong, film-coated, scored; 1000 mg tablets: white to off-white, oblong, film-coated, scored; Oral solution (liquid), for people who cannot swallow tablets or for some children |
| Route | oral |
| Boxed warning | No |
| Label date | 2026-03-23 |
💊 What is Levetiracetam used for?
- Partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older
- Myoclonic seizures in people 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, used together with other medicines
- Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in people 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, used together with other medicines
How it works
How it is usually taken
- The label says it is usually taken 2 times each day. Your healthcare provider tells you how much to take and when. Take it with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or crush them. If you cannot swallow tablets, ask your provider about the oral solution. Do not change your dose unless your provider tells you to. Do not stop the medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider, because stopping suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop.
Comes as
- 250 mg tablets: blue, oblong, film-coated, scored
- 500 mg tablets: yellow, oblong, film-coated, scored
- 750 mg tablets: orange, oblong, film-coated, scored
- 1000 mg tablets: white to off-white, oblong, film-coated, scored
- Oral solution (liquid), for people who cannot swallow tablets or for some children
⚠️ Levetiracetam side effects
Common side effects
- In adults: sleepiness (somnolence), weakness (asthenia), infection, and dizziness
- In children: tiredness (fatigue), aggression, stuffy nose (nasal congestion), decreased appetite, and irritability
- Headache, pain, and changes in mood or behavior such as anger, anxiety, agitation, apathy, or mood swings
- The label says levetiracetam may make you dizzy or sleepy
Get medical help right away if
- Get medical help right away if you have thoughts about suicide or dying, attempt suicide, or have new or worse depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, restlessness, irritability, or trouble sleeping.
- Get medical help right away if you have acting aggressive, being angry or violent, acting on dangerous impulses, an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania), or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.
- The label says that in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500, antiseizure medicines like this one may cause suicidal thoughts or actions.
- Get medical help right away if you have psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia or confusion. The label reports these were seen in some patients.
- Get medical help right away if you develop a rash. The label says the medicine should be stopped at the first sign of rash unless it is clearly not related to the drug.
- Get medical help right away if you have swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or a serious allergic reaction. The label says these reactions have occurred.
- Get medical help right away if you have signs of an overdose, such as severe drowsiness, agitation, aggression, reduced consciousness, breathing problems, or coma.
🛑 Who should not take Levetiracetam, and who should be careful
The label says not to take it if
- You are allergic to levetiracetam. The label says allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, have occurred.
Tell your doctor before taking it if
- Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.
- Tell your provider if you have kidney problems.
- Tell your provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
- Tell your provider about all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Keep a list to show your provider and pharmacist.
- Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how the medicine affects you, because it may make you dizzy or sleepy.
- Check that the medicine you received matches the name and appearance described on your label. Tell your pharmacist right away if you think you were given the wrong medicine.
- Do not stop the medicine without first talking to your healthcare provider.
🔀 Levetiracetam with other medicines, food and alcohol
The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist
- The label does not list specific drug interactions in the text provided. It advises telling your healthcare provider about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take, and not starting a new medicine without talking to your provider first.
Alcohol and food
The label says levetiracetam can be taken with or without food. The label text provided does not mention alcohol.
🤰 Levetiracetam in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
The label says it is not known if levetiracetam will harm an unborn baby, so you and your healthcare provider will need to decide whether to take it during pregnancy. The label says that a prolonged human experience has not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage, based on published literature. It also notes that animal studies showed developmental harm at doses similar to human therapeutic doses. Blood levels of levetiracetam may decrease during pregnancy. The label encourages people who become pregnant while taking it to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.
Breastfeeding
The label says levetiracetam can pass into breast milk. It is not known whether this can harm the baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you take this medicine.
🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much
Storage
The label does not say.
If a dose is missed
The label does not say.
If too much is taken
If you take too much levetiracetam, call your local Poison Control Center or go to the nearest emergency room right away. The label says there is no specific antidote. Care focuses on supportive treatment. Reported overdose effects include sleepiness, agitation, aggression, reduced level of consciousness, breathing problems, and coma.
🗒️ Questions to ask about Levetiracetam
🎯 Check what you understood
1. According to the summary, how is levetiracetam usually taken?
2. What does the label say about stopping levetiracetam suddenly?
3. Which of these is a reason not to take levetiracetam, according to the label?
❓ Levetiracetam: frequently asked questions
Can levetiracetam be taken with food?
Yes. The label says levetiracetam can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole and do not chew or crush them.
Can levetiracetam cause mood changes?
The label says it may cause behavioral changes, including aggression, anger, anxiety, and irritability. It also says suicidal thoughts or actions may occur in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice these changes.
Can I drive while taking levetiracetam?
The label advises not to drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how the medicine affects you, because it may cause dizziness or sleepiness.
Does levetiracetam pass into breast milk?
The label says it can pass into breast milk, and it is not known whether this can harm a baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while you take it.
What should I do if I cannot swallow the tablets?
The label says to ask your healthcare provider about levetiracetam oral solution if you cannot swallow tablets.
🧪 Tests and reports linked to Levetiracetam
The label text mentions these. If you have one of these reports, get every line of it explained.
- Kidney function tests
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Metabolic panel (BMP, CMP)
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Culture and sensitivity
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Urinalysis
a test or report linked to this medicine
- Pregnancy hCG test
a test or report linked to this medicine
📖 Medical words used on this page
- Adjunctive therapy
Adjunctive therapy is a medicine or treatment added to another main treatment to help it work better.
- Allergic reaction
An allergic reaction is when the immune system overreacts to something harmless, such as a medicine or food, causing symptoms from a rash to swelling.
- Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that comes on fast and is a medical emergency needing urgent help.
- Angioedema
Angioedema is swelling deep under the skin, often of the lips, face, tongue or throat. Swelling of the throat or tongue needs emergency help.
- Anticonvulsant
An anticonvulsant is a medicine that helps prevent or control seizures. Some are also used for nerve pain, migraine or mood conditions.
- Concomitant
Concomitant means 'at the same time'; on a medicine label, concomitant use means taking two medicines during the same period.
- Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are differences in the structure of the body that are present at birth, such as heart, spine or lip and palate defects.
- Edema
Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often in the feet, ankles and legs.
- Film-coated
Film-coated means a tablet has a thin outer layer that makes it easier to swallow, masks taste, or protects the medicine inside.
- Follow-up appointment
A follow-up appointment is a planned visit after a test, treatment or hospital stay to check progress and decide next steps.
- Idiopathic
Idiopathic means the cause of a condition is not known. It describes the cause, not how serious the condition is.
- Impression
The impression is the summary at the end of a scan report, where the radiologist gives the main conclusions.
- Kidney disease
Kidney disease is any condition that damages the kidneys or reduces how well they filter waste and extra fluid from the blood.
- Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is a common medical condition with low mood or loss of interest that lasts at least two weeks and affects daily life.
📖 Medical words on this page
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Have the leaflet or prescription in front of you?
Explain my leafletDecode my prescription🔗 Trusted sources about Levetiracetam
- Full official label on DailyMed ↗
US National Library of Medicine: the complete FDA label this page is based on
- Levetiracetam on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine's patient drug information
- Levetiracetam on the NHS website ↗
UK National Health Service medicine guide
Report a side effect or check safety alerts
- Report a side effect in the US (FDA MedWatch) ↗
- Report a side effect in the UK (Yellow Card) ↗
- FDA recalls and safety alerts ↗
Explain your own documents
Source: official FDA drug label (label updated 2026-03-23). Read the full label on DailyMed
MedicDecode explains the official label in plain words. It is not medical advice and does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Never start, stop or change a medicine because of what you read here.