Brand Name:

Biolepra^®

Dosage:

250 mg & 500 mg & 750 mg

Generic Name:

Levetiracetam

Pharmacotherapeutic Group:

Anticonvulsant

Therapeutic Indication:

Levetiracetam: Biolepra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Biolepra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Biolepra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Dosage and Administration:

The daily dose of Biolepra is given by mouth in two divided doses. The initial adult dose when used as an adjunct is 1g on the first day of treatment; thereafter, the daily dose may be increased in steps of 1g every 2 to 4 weeks until effective antiepileptic control is achieved, up to a maximum dose of 3g daily. The initial dose in children weighing less than 50kg is 20mg/kg daily which may be increased in steps of 20mg/kg every 2 weeks to a maximum of 60mg/kg daily.

Side Effects:

The most commonly reported adverse effects associated with levetiracetam are somnolence, weakness, and dizziness. Anorexia, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, nausea, weight gain or loss, myalgia, ataxia, headache, amnesia, depression, emotional lability, insomnia, nervousness, tremor, vertigo, diplopia, and rash may occur less frequently. Alopecia may also develop; in some cases, stopping levetiracetam has resulted in regrowth of hair.