Levetiracetam oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved levetiracetam oral tablet to treat adults and some children who have any of the following seizure disorders caused by certain forms of epilepsy:

• focal onset seizures (also known as partial seizures)
• primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
• myoclonic seizures

This article describes possible side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for levetiracetam. You can explore this overview article learn more about levetiracetam oral tablet, including the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Levetiracetam oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Keppra. Levetiracetam also comes in an injectable form and a solution that you swallow. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

More common side effects of levetiracetam

Levetiracetam oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet include:

• sleepiness and fatigue (low energy)*
• weakness
• increased risk of infection
• dizziness

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levetiracetam in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of levetiracetam

Levetiracetam may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• loss of appetite
• dizziness
• general pain
• headache
• increased risk of infection
• memory loss
• mood changes
• nervousness
• difficulty with balance, coordination, or speech
• runny or stuffy nose
• sleepiness and fatigue (low energy)*
• sore throat
• vertigo
• weakness
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levetiracetam in detail” section below.

Levetiracetam oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of levetiracetam

Levetiracetam may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from levetiracetam oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with levetiracetam.

Serious side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• blood cell problems, including low white blood cell level
• severe sleepiness or fatigue (low energy)*
• severe difficulty with balance or coordination
• withdrawal seizures (more severe or frequent seizures) if levetiracetam treatment is stopped suddenly
• behavior changes*
• suicidal thoughts or behaviors*
• severe allergic reaction,* including severe skin reactions

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levetiracetam in detail” section below.

Side effects of levetiracetam in children

For children, doctors prescribe levetiracetam oral tablet to treat the following conditions:

• partial seizures in children ages 1 month and older
• primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in certain children ages 6 years and older
• myoclonic seizures in certain children ages 12 years and older

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• fatigue (low energy)*
• irritability
• vomiting
• increased blood pressure

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levetiracetam in detail” section below.

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking levetiracetam oral tablet, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of levetiracetam

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does levetiracetam cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, levetiracetam oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with levetiracetam oral tablet include withdrawal seizures, if treatment with levetiracetam is stopped suddenly. (Withdrawal seizures are more severe or happen more frequently than usual.) This side effect may happen if you take levetiracetam for a long time and then suddenly stop taking the drug.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with levetiracetam.

Can levetiracetam 500 mg cause fewer side effects than the drug’s other strengths?

Levetiracetam 500 milligrams (mg) is expected to cause the same side effects as other strengths. In general, your risk of side effects from taking a drug is lower with lower strengths than with higher strengths.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor to learn more about your risk of side effects from taking levetiracetam, including how your dosage affects your risk.

Is levetiracetam safe for older adults?

Yes, in general. In studies of levetiracetam, older adults (ages 65 years and above) experienced the same side effects as younger adults.

That said, older adults may be at higher risk of certain complications from some side effects levetiracetam may cause. For example, levetiracetam can cause difficulty with balance or coordination, which can be severe.

If you have questions about taking levetiracetam given your age, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Coupon for levetiracetam

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for levetiracetam when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Side effects of levetiracetam in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet.

Behavior changes

Behavior changes were common in people taking levetiracetam oral tablet in studies. This side effect may be mild or serious.

Behavior changes reported with levetiracetam include:

• aggression, anger, or hostility
• agitation or irritability
• delusions (false beliefs)
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing something that’s not really there)
• new or worsening anxiety or depression
• mood changes
• psychosis (difficulty recognizing what’s real and what isn’t real)

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of behavior changes, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with levetiracetam. Your doctor may reduce your dose over time until it’s safe for you to stop taking the drug entirely. 

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors were rare in people taking levetiracetam oral tablet in studies. This side effect is serious.

Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are a known side effect of antiepileptic drugs, including levetiracetam. It’s important to note that epilepsy itself raises the risk of having suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Symptoms may include:

• thoughts about dying or suicide
• new or worsening anxiety or depression
• agitation or restlessness
• impulsive behavior

Having an existing mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, may increase your risk of this side effect of levetiracetam.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, tell your doctor right away. If your symptoms feel life threatening, get immediate medical care.

Your doctor will likely suggest stopping levetiracetam treatment if you experience this side effect while taking the drug.

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 Textline 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.

Sleepiness and fatigue

Sleepiness and fatigue (low energy) was common in people taking levetiracetam oral tablet in studies. This side effect is usually mild, but may be serious in rare cases.

Symptoms may include feeling especially drowsy or tired during the day. This can interfere with your work or school and your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of sleepiness, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend decreasing your dosage or stopping treatment with levetiracetam.

To reduce your risk of this side effect, your doctor may begin treatment with levetiracetam by prescribing a low dosage. They may then increase your dosage over time.

Allergic reaction

For some people, levetiracetam oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. These reactions were rare in studies of the drug.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Serious and potentially life threatening allergic skin reactions have also been reported in people taking levetiracetam. These reactions include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. These reactions can cause symptoms that include:

• painful, red, or discolored skin rash
• blisters on your mouth, nose, eyes, skin, or genitals
• broken, shedding, or raw skin

Allergic skin reactions are life threatening emergencies requiring immediate treatment at an emergency room or hospital.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to levetiracetam oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for levetiracetam

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking levetiracetam oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take levetiracetam oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether levetiracetam oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking levetiracetam oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• mental health conditions, such as depression
• kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
• past allergic reaction to levetiracetam

Levetiracetam and pregnancy

It’s not known whether levetiracetam oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before you take this medication.

If you and your doctor decide you’ll take levetiracetam while pregnant, consider joining the antiepileptic drug pregnancy registry. (Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug). Pregnancy registries help doctors and patients make safe treatment choices during pregnancy. You can learn more about the registry or sign up by calling 888-233-2334 or visiting this site.

Levetiracetam and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether levetiracetam oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before you take this medication.

Levetiracetam and alcohol

Levetiracetam oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

However, alcohol and levetiracetam can cause some similar side effects. These include sleepiness and difficulty with balance or coordination. Drinking alcohol while taking levetiracetam may raise your risk of having these side effects, including the risk that they’re severe.

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

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of levetiracetam oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know whether you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How do side effects of levetiracetam compare with those of other drugs for treating epilepsy?
• Does my health history affect my risk of side effects if I take levetiracetam?
• Do any medications I take interact with levetiracetam and increase my risk of side effects?
• If I have side effects from levetiracetam, can you prescribe a lower dosage for me to try?

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.