Levetiracetam ratiopharm
levetiracetam
levetiracetam
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
What Levetiracetam ratiopharm is and what it is used for
What you need to know before you take Levetiracetam ratiopharm
How to take Levetiracetam ratiopharm
Possible side effects
How to store Levetiracetam ratiopharm
Contents of the pack and other information
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy). Levetiracetam ratiopharm is used:
on its own in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to
treat a certain form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where the patients have repeated fits (seizures). Levetiracetam is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits initially affect only one side of the brain, but could thereafter extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain (partial onset seizure with or without secondary generalisation). Levetiracetam has been given to you by your doctor to reduce the number of fits.
as an add-on to other antiepileptic medicines to treat:
partial onset seizures with or without generalisation in adults, adolescents, children and infants from one month of age
myoclonic seizures (short, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major fits, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (the type of epilepsy that is thought to have a genetic cause).
If you are allergic to levetiracetam, pyrrolidone derivatives or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6).
Talk to your doctor before taking Levetiracetam ratiopharm
If you suffer from kidney problems, follow your doctor’s instructions. He/she may decide if your dose should be adjusted.
If you notice any slow down in the growth or unexpected puberty development of your child, please contact your doctor.
A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as Levetiracetam ratiopharm have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you have any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation, please contact your doctor.
If you have a family or medical history of irregular heart rhythm (visible on an electrocardiogram), or if you have a disease and/or take a treatment that make(s) you prone to heartbeat irregularities or salt imbalances.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or last longer than a few days:
Abnormal thoughts, feeling irritable or reacting more aggressively than usually, or if you or
your family and friends notice important changes in mood or behaviour.
Aggravation of epilepsy
Your seizures may rarely become worse or happen more often, mainly during the first month after the start of the treatment or increase of the dose. If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking Levetiracetam ratiopharm, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm is not indicated in children and adolescents below 16 years on its own (monotherapy).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Do not take macrogol (a drug used as laxative) for one hour before and one hour after taking levetiracetam as this may results in a loss of its effect.
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. Levetiracetam can be used during pregnancy, only if after careful assessment it is considered necessary by your doctor.
You should not stop your treatment without discussing this with your doctor.
A risk of birth defects for your unborn child cannot be completely excluded. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm may impair your ability to drive or operate any tools or machinery, as it may make you feel sleepy. This is more likely at the beginning of treatment or after an increase in the dose. You should not drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Take the number of tablets following your doctor’s instructions.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm must be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the same time each day.
Adjunctive Therapy and monotherapy (from 16 years of age)
Recommended dose: between 1000 mg and 3000 mg each day.
When you will first start taking Levetiracetam ratiopharm, your doctor will prescribe you a
Example: if your daily dose is intended to be 1000 mg, your reduced starting dose is 1 tablet of 250 mg in the morning and 1 tablet of 250 mg in the evening, and the dose will be gradually incremented to reach 1000 mg daily after 2 weeks.
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam ratiopharm according to weight and dose.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 100 mg/ml oral solution is a formulation more appropriate to infants and children under the age of 6 years and to children and adolescent (from 6 to 17 years) weighing less than 50 kg and when tablets don’t allow accurate dosage.
Swallow Levetiracetam ratiopharm film-coated tablets with a sufficient quantity of liquid (e.g. a glass of water). You may take Levetiracetam ratiopharm with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of levetiracetam may be experienced.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm is used as a chronic treatment. You should continue Levetiracetam ratiopharm treatment for as long as your doctor has told you.
Do not stop your treatment without your doctor’s advice as this could increase your seizures.
The possible side effects of an overdose of Levetiracetam ratiopharm are sleepiness, agitation, aggression, decrease of alertness, inhibition of breathing and coma.
Contact your doctor if you took more tablets than you should. Your doctor will establish the best possible treatment of overdose.
Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If stopping treatment, Levetiracetam ratiopharm should be discontinued gradually to avoid an increase of seizures. Should your doctor decide to stop your Levetiracetam ratiopharm treatment, he/she will instruct you about the gradual withdrawal of Levetiracetam ratiopharm.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
weakness, feel light-headed or dizzy or have difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a serious allergic (anaphylactic) reaction
swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat (Quincke’s oedema)
flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face followed by an extended rash with a high temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms [DRESS])
symptoms such as low urine volume, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease of kidney function
a skin rash which may form blisters and look like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)
a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
a more severe form of rash causing skin peeling in more than 30 % of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
signs of serious mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, somnolence (sleepiness), amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal behaviour or other neurological signs including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These could be symptoms of an encephalopathy.
The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis, somnolence (sleepiness), headache, fatigue and dizziness. At the beginning of the treatment or at dose increase side effects like sleepiness, tiredness and dizziness may be more common. These effects should however decrease over time.
nasopharyngitis;
somnolence (sleepiness), headache.
anorexia (loss of appetite);
depression, hostility or aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability;
convulsion, balance disorder (equilibrium disorder), dizziness (sensation of unsteadiness), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary trembling);
vertigo (sensation of rotation);
cough;
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia (indigestion), vomiting, nausea;
rash;
asthenia/fatigue (tiredness).
decreased number of blood platelets, decreased number of white blood cells;
weight decrease, weight increase;
suicide attempt and suicidal ideation, mental disorder, abnormal behaviour, hallucination, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood swings, agitation;
amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination/ataxia (impaired coordinated movements), paraesthesia (tingling), disturbance in attention (loss of concentration);
diplopia (double vision), vision blurred;
elevated/abnormal values in a liver function test;
hair loss, eczema, pruritus;
muscle weakness, myalgia (muscle pain);
injury.
infection;
decreased number of all blood cell types;
severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction [severe and important allergic reaction], Quincke’s oedema [swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat]);
decreased blood sodium concentration;
suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), thinking abnormal (slow thinking, unable to concentrate);
delirium;
encephalopathy (see sub-section “Tell your doctor immediately” for a detailed description of symptoms);
seizures may become worse or happen more often;
uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the head, torso and limbs, difficulty in controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity);
change of the heart rhythm (Electrocardiogram);
pancreatitis;
liver failure, hepatitis;
sudden decrease in kidney function;
skin rash, which may form blisters and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens– Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and associated blood creatine phosphokinase
increase. Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients;
limp or difficulty walking;
combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, low level of consciousness (may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.
If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton box and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is called levetiracetam.
One film-coated tablet of Levetiracetam ratiopharm 250 mg contains 250 mg levetiracetam. One film-coated tablet of Levetiracetam ratiopharm 500 mg contains 500 mg levetiracetam. One film-coated tablet of Levetiracetam ratiopharm 750 mg contains 750 mg levetiracetam.
One film-coated tablet of Levetiracetam ratiopharm 1000 mg contains 1000 mg levetiracetam.
The other ingredients are: Tablet core:
Macrogol 6000, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Crospovidone, Cellulose powdered, Magnesium stearate.
Film-coating:
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 250 mg
Poly(vinyl alcohol), Titanium dioxide (E171), Macrogol, Talc, Blue indigo carmine aluminium lake (E132)
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 500 mg
Hypromellose (E464), Microcrystalline cellulose (E460), Macrogol 40 stearate type I, Anatase titanium dioxide (E171), Yellow Iron Oxide (E 172)
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 750 mg
Hypromellose (E464), Microcrystalline cellulose (E460), Macrogol 40 stearate type I, Anatase titanium dioxide (E171), Yellow Iron Oxide (E172), Red Iron Oxide (E172)
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 1000 mg
Hypromellose (E464), Microcrystalline cellulose (E460), Macrogol 40 stearate type I, Titanium dioxide (E171)
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 250 mg
Film-coated tablets are blue, oblong and scored on one side and are supplied in packs of 20, 30, 50, 60 or 100 film-coated tablets or multipacks of 200 (2 packs of 100) film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 500 mg
Film-coated tablets are yellow, oval and scored on one side and are supplied in packs of 10, 20, 30, 50, 60 or 100 film-coated tablets or multipacks of 120 (2 packs of 60) or 200 (2 packs of 100) film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 750 mg
Film-coated tablets are light red coloured, oblong and scored on both sides and are supplied in packs of 20, 30, 50, 60, 80 or 100 film-coated tablets or multipacks of 200 (2 packs of 100) film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam ratiopharm 1000 mg
Film-coated tablets are white, oblong and scored on both sides and are supplied in packs of 10, 20, 30, 50, 60 or 100 film-coated tablets or multipacks of 200 (2 packs of 100) film-coated tablets.
The tablets can be divided into equal halves. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
ratiopharm GmbH Graf-Arco-Straße 3
89079 Ulm
Germany
Merckle GmbH
Ludwig-Merckle-Straße 3
89143 Blaubeuren Germany
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Teva Pharma Belgium N.V./S.A./AG Tel./Tél.: +32 38207373
UAB Teva Baltics Tel: +370 52660203
Тева Фарма ЕАД Тел: +359 24899585
Teva Pharmaceuticals CR, s.r.o. Tel: +420 251007111
Teva Gyógyszergyár Zrt. Tel: +36 12886400
Teva Denmark A/S Tlf: +45 44985511
Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland L-Irlanda
Tel: +44 2075407117
Teva Nederland B.V. Tel.: +31 8000228400
UAB Teva Baltics Eesti filiaal Tel: +372 6610801
Teva Norway AS Tlf: +47 66775590
Specifar A.B.E.E.
Τηλ: +30 2118805000
ratiopharm Arzneimittel Vertriebs-GmbH Tel: +43 1970070
Teva Pharma, S.L.U. Tél: +34 913873280
Teva Pharmaceuticals Polska Sp.z.o.o Tel: +48 223459300
Teva Santé
Tél: +33 155917800
ratiopharm, Comércio e Indústria de Produtos Farmacêuticos Lda.
Tel: +351 214767550
Pliva Hrvatska d.o.o. Tel: +385 13720000
Teva Pharmaceuticals S.R.L. Tel: +40 212306524
Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland Tel: +44 2075407117
Pliva Ljubljana d.o.o. Tel: +386 15890390
Teva Pharma Iceland ehf. Sími: +354 5503300
Teva Pharmaceuticals Slovakia s.r.o. Tel: +421 257267911
Teva Italia S.r.l. Tel: +39 028917981
Teva Finland Oy
Puh/Tel: +358 201805900
Specifar A.B.E.E.
Ελλάδα
Τηλ: +30 2118805000
Teva Sweden AB Tel: +46 42121100
UAB Teva Baltics filiāle Latvijā
Tel: +371 67323666
Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland Ireland
Tel: +44 2075407117
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: https://www.ema.europa.eu