Keppra (KEP-ruh) is the brand name used in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and some other countries for the seizure medicine levetiracetam (lev-eh-teer-ASS-eh-tam).

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Keppra in 1999 to be used as an add-on (adjunctive) seizure medicine in adults with partial-onset epilepsy.

Forms
Keppra is marketed in the United States by UCB Pharma, Inc. The name or appearance may differ in other places. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") will usually be the same. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets

		250-mg (blue, oblong, scored) Tablets marked with “ucb” and “250” on one side.
		500-mg (yellow, oblong, scored) Tablets marked with “ucb” and “500” on one side.
		750-mg (orange, oblong, scored) Tablets marked with “ucb” and “750” on one side.
		1000-mg (white, oblong, scored) Tablets marked with “ucb” and “1000” on one side

Liquid solution

100 mg/mL (clear, colorless, grape-flavored) The liquid Keppra solution was approved by the FDA in 2003.

Liquid injection for intravenous administration

100 mg per 1 mL (milliliters). Approved by the FDA in 2006, this is an alternative for patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible; it must be diluted prior to use as per the package insert and administered as a 15-minute intravenous infusion.

Keppra recently became available in generic (non-brand name) form as generic levetiracetam.

How to take and store Keppra
Follow your doctor's directions. Call if you have any questions. Usually, your doctor will tell you to start by taking one tablet—either 250 or 500 milligrams— two times each day. After a while, the doctor may gradually increase the dosage up to as much as 3000 milligrams per day (two 750-mg tablets, two times a day) to get better control of your seizures.

Most people prefer to swallow the tablets whole to avoid their bitter taste. But people who are unable to swallow whole tablets can crush the tablet and mix it with food, or use the liquid form.

When measuring the liquid solution of Keppra, be sure to use a standard-size medicine spoon or dropper (not a regular teaspoon) to get an accurate dose.

It's OK to take Keppra either with food or without food, but it's a good idea to be consistent about how you take it. Though taking Keppra with food does not change how much Keppra is absorbed, it does delay its absorption a bit.

Be careful if the doctor writes a new prescription using a different kind of pill. For example, if you've been using 500-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 750-mg tablets, be careful to use the correct number. Don't automatically continue to use the same number of pills as before.

Be sure to use only the amount that the doctor prescribes. If you think you've used one or two extra tablets or one extra spoonful of liquid, call your doctor for advice. For a larger overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency room right away, unless you have special instructions from the doctor.

Don't stop taking Keppra or change the amount you use without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause a serious problem called status epilepticus.

All forms of Keppra should be stored at room temperature, away from light and humidity and out of the reach of children.

What if I forget?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose for a few hours instead of taking two doses very close together. Then go back to the regular schedule.

Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.

Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!