Keppra |
Levetiracetam - Keppra is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. It
is S- enantiomer of etiracetam, structurally similar to the prototypical nootropic
drug piracetam. Along with other anticonvulsants like gabapentin, it is also
sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain. Levetiracetam is marketed under the
trade name Keppra. Keppra is manufactured by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc. Levetiracetam has recently been approved in the United Kingdom as a monotherapy treatment for epilepsy. It is also used in veterinary medicine for similar purposes. Side effects Side effects include: ataxia (sudden loss of balance); hair loss; pins and needles sensation in the extremities; psychiatric symptoms ranging from irritability to depression; and other common side effects like headache and nausea. Recent literature (and paper 2.163 in) suggests that the addition of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may curtail some of the psychiatric symptoms. |