Keppra as an Anticonvulsant
In many cases, the medication must be given three times daily or the extended-release tablets given twice a day
. 1 This is because it is rapidly broken down in the body, with an elimination half-life between four and six hours.
Should keppra be taken every 12 hours?
Levetiracetam is usually taken twice a day, about 12 hours apart
. Swallow the tablets whole. They may have a bitter taste when the pill is crushed. People who have trouble swallowing the pills whole can break the tablets in half, mix the tablet with food, or use the liquid form.
How often can you give keppra to dogs?
Keppra is administered
every eight hours (3x/day)
. Serum level is needed with most drugs with the exception of Keppra. The monitoring interval depends upon the half-life of the drug (how fast the drug is eliminated from the blood), the side effects seen and the control of the seizure.
How long does it take a dog to adjust to Keppra?
The median time between initiation of levetiracetam treatment to owner response was
22.15 months
(range, 0.4–75.7 months).
Can you overdose a dog on Keppra?
What should I do if my pet is accidentally given too many doses?
Contact your vet immediately if your pet is given an overdose of levetiracetam
. Information regarding overdose of this drug is limited in veterinary patients. However, overdose is known to cause drowsiness in people.
Does Keppra make dogs sleepy?
Are there any potential side effects?
The most common side effects include sleepiness and incoordination in dogs
. In cats, a decreased appetite, incoordination, drooling, and sleepiness most commonly occur. Serious side effects include persistent vomiting or sudden changes in behavior.
What is the best time of day to take Keppra?
Keppra must be taken two times a day,
once in the morning and once in the evening
, at about the same time each day. Taking Keppra at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take the tablets/oral solution. It does not matter if you take Keppra before or after food.
What happens if you overdose on Keppra?
Overdose symptoms may include
extreme drowsiness, agitation, aggression, shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting
. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
What is the best anti seizure medication for dogs?
- Phenobarbital. …
- Potassium Bromide. …
- Levetiracetam (Keppra®) …
- Zonisamide (Zonegran®) …
- Premidone. …
- Per Rectal Diazepam. …
- Modified diet. …
- Supplements.
How effective is Keppra for seizures in dogs?
After 2 months of levetiracetam oral treatment (10 mg/kg TID), 8/14 dogs responded significantly to the treatment and seizure frequency was reduced by 50%
. In dogs that remained refractory, the dosage was increased to 20 mg/kg TID for 2 months.
How long does Keppra stay in a dog’s system?
Levetiracetam (Keppra®) is characterized by a half-life of
2 to 4 hrs
in dogs (regular release) and 4 to 7 hrs in cats; variability among animals is likely to be marked. For extended release, the half-live may be 1-2 hrs longer.
Can you cut levetiracetam in half?
You should begin by taking Levetiracetam 250 mg per day.
The 500 mg pill can be divided in half to do this
: it is “scored” in the middle. The medication is started at bedtime. Then in weekly intervals, increase the dose by 250 mg on a twice a day schedule.
How long does seizure medication take to work in dogs?
The medication should begin working within
1-2 days
. Do not stop this medication suddenly or else seizures may occur.
Can you crush Keppra immediate release?
Swallow the levetiracetam immediate-release and extended-release tablets whole;
do not split, chew, or crush them
.
Does Keppra work immediately?
It usually takes a few weeks for levetiracetam to work properly
. This is because the dose of levetiracetam needs to be increased slowly. You may still have seizures during this time.
What are the chances of having a seizure while on Keppra?
Response and effectiveness. Keppra is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration.
It reduces seizure frequency by about half in 20 to 40%
of people who take it.
How long are dogs confused after a seizure?
Once the seizure has ended, dogs will have a prolonged post-ictal recovery period. This period may last
up to 24 hours
, depending on the individual dog. During the post-ictal period, dogs are typically confused and disoriented.
What does Keppra do for dogs?
Dogs and Cats
Levetiracetam also may be useful to
treat seizures due to hepatic encephalopathy or cases of phenobarbital induced liver damage
. The addition of levetiracetam may permit a lower dose of phenobarbital without an increase in seizure frequency.
Should you euthanize a dog with seizures?
If your dog only experiences one seizure and is otherwise healthy, then you don’t need to consider putting it down
. However, if your dog is having multiple seizures and does not respond well to treatment, then euthanasia may be the best decision for both you and your pet.
What is a focal seizure in dogs?
Focal or Partial Seizures in Dogs
Focal seizures in dogs (sometimes called partial seizures)
only affect one half of the brain, and within a particular region of that half
. These seizures are described as either simple or complex, depending on your dog’s level of awareness while the seizure is occurring.
Is 500 mg of Keppra a lot?
The usual starting dose is 500 milligrams (mg) 2 times a day
. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 3000 mg per day. Children 6 years of age and older weighing 20 to 40 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
Does Keppra make you sleepy?
Drowsiness, dizziness, unusual tiredness, or weakness may occur
. These side effects are more common during the first 4 weeks and usually lessen as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
