Levetiracetam oral tablet interactions: A detailed guide

This article describes possible interactions with levetiracetam oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions. Keep reading to learn about what not to take with levetiracetam.

Levetiracetam comes as tablets that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as a solution that’s injected into your vein, and a solution and an extended-release* tablet that you’ll swallow. Interactions of levetiracetam may vary depending on the form of levetiracetam you’re prescribed.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

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Questions about levetiracetam and interactions

Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about levetiracetam and possible interactions.

What should you not take with Keppra, levetiracetam’s brand-name version?

Keppra and levetiracetam don’t have any known interactions with supplements or other medications. There also aren’t any known foods to avoid when taking Keppra or levetiracetam.

Keppra is a brand-name drug, and its generic version is levetiracetam. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics are thought to be as safe and effective as their brand-name version.

If you’d like to know more about Keppra versus levetiracetam, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does levetiracetam interact with antibiotics?

Typically, no. Levetiracetam isn’t known to interact with any antibiotics. But this doesn’t mean interactions with antibiotics can’t happen or won’t be identified later. Before starting an antibiotic, tell your doctor and pharmacist. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.

If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does levetiracetam oral tablet have different interactions than its extended-release form?

No, it doesn’t. Both levetiracetam oral tablet and levetiracetam extended-release* oral tablet aren’t known to interact with alcohol, other medications, or supplements. But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Before taking either form of levetiracetam, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other drugs or supplements you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.

If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.

When to avoid levetiracetam

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with levetiracetam oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe levetiracetam in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a contraindication for levetiracetam oral tablet:

• Past allergic reaction to levetiracetam: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to levetiracetam oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking levetiracetam, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take levetiracetam.

Alcohol and levetiracetam

Levetiracetam oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Other drugs and levetiracetam

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any other drugs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with drugs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Before taking levetiracetam oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions. If you’re concerned about possible interactions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

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Other interactions and levetiracetam

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether levetiracetam oral tablet has these interactions. 

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with levetiracetam.

Levetiracetam and supplements

Before taking levetiracetam oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Levetiracetam interactions with herbs

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Levetiracetam interactions with vitamins

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Levetiracetam and food

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Levetiracetam and vaccines

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Levetiracetam and lab tests

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Levetiracetam and cannabis or CBD

Levetiracetam oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with levetiracetam.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Health factors and levetiracetam

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with levetiracetam oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking levetiracetam, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether levetiracetam is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with levetiracetam oral tablet:

• depression or mood conditions
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• kidney problems
• low blood cell levels
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to levetiracetam

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Preventing levetiracetam interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with levetiracetam oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Taking levetiracetam exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about levetiracetam and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• How will I know if levetiracetam is interacting with another medication I’m taking?
• Is there anything I should know about what not to take with levetiracetam?
• Should I tell you if I start taking another medication or supplement during my levetiracetam treatment?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.