Levetiracetam (Kepra)

Anti-epileptic drug used in the treatment of simple and complex partial seizures with and without generalization. It is also effective against absences, myoclonic jerks and primary generalized seizures. Levetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after oral ingestion with 100% bioavailability. Plasma levetiracetam concentrations increase linearly with dose and it is not bound to plasma proteins. The drug’s elimination is primarily renal, but some non-hepatic enzyme dependent metabolism occurs that produces pharmacologically inactive metabolites. Half life is 6-8 hours. The relationship between plasma concentration and clinical effect has not been determined. There are large inter-individual differences between the dose and plasma concentration. Several of the toxic signs of levetiracetam are similar to many of the other anticonvulsant drugs with which it will be prescribed.