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 are the side effects of seizure medication in dogs?
Are there any potential side effects? Common side effects in dogs include
anxiety, agitation, lethargy, or sedation when therapy is started, and increased thirst, urination, and appetite or elevated liver enzymes on bloodwork
are possible. Side effects such as incoordination may indicate a dose that is too high.
What are the most common side effects of Keppra?
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- tiredness,
- weakness,
- feeling aggressive or irritable,
- loss of appetite,
- stuff nose, and.
- infection.
Can Keppra cause seizures in dogs?
You mustn’t stop giving Keppra (or other traditional anticonvulsants) to your dog suddenly, as this
can cause withdrawal seizures
. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for dosage and on how to taper your dog off of this drug.
How much Keppra can I give my dog?
In dogs, Levetiracetam is often started at
5 to 10 mg per pound (10 to 20 mg/kg) three times daily (every 8 hours)
. Higher doses are often needed for emergency treatment of active seizures including doses up to 20 mg/kg.
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.
How well does Keppra control 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.
Does Keppra cause ataxia in dogs?
The most frequently reported side effects in veterinary medicine are vomiting, sedation, and ataxia
(10).
How do you give a dog Keppra?
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.
Do side effects of Keppra go away?
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.
What happens if Keppra levels are too high?
Overdose symptoms may include
extreme drowsiness, agitation, aggression, shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting
.
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.
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.
Can a dog overdose 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.
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.
What is the best anti seizure medication for dogs?
- Phenobarbital. …
- Potassium Bromide. …
- Levetiracetam (Keppra®) …
- Zonisamide (Zonegran®) …
- Premidone. …
- Per Rectal Diazepam. …
- Modified diet. …
- Supplements.
How often should Keppra be given 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.
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.
How long does it take for 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).
What toxins can cause seizures in dogs?
According to the ASPCA,
caffeine, dark chocolate, mushrooms, theobromine, ethanol, and xylitol
can cause your dog’s seizures.
Should I put my dog down if he has 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.
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.
