Overview
| Generic Names: | Levetiracetam [INN]; Levetiracetamum [INN-Latin]; Levitiracetam; levetiracetam |
|---|---|
| Trade Names: | Keppra |
| PharmGKB Accession Id: | PA450206 |
Description
Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. Levetiracetam may selectively prevent hypersynchronization of epileptiform burst firing and propagation of seizure activity. Levetiracetam binds to the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is thought to be involved in the regulation of vesicle exocytosis. Although the molecular significance of levetiracetam binding to synaptic vesicle protein SV2A is not understood, levetiracetam and related analogs showed a rank order of affinity for SV2A which correlated with the potency of their antiseizure activity in audiogenic seizure-prone mice. (source: Drug Bank)
Indication
Used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children 4 years of age and older with epilepsy. (source: Drug Bank)
ATC Therapeutic Category
- N03AX:Other antiepileptics
Pharmacology, Interactions, and Contraindications
Mechanism Of Action
The precise mechanism(s) by which levetiracetam exerts its antiepileptic effect is unknown. The antiepileptic activity of levetiracetam was assessed in a number of animal models of epileptic seizures. Levetiracetam did not inhibit single seizures induced by maximal stimulation with electrical current or different chemoconvulsants and showed only minimal activity in submaximal stimulation and in threshold tests. Protection was observed, however, against secondarily generalized activity from focal seizures induced by pilocarpine and kainic acid, two chemoconvulsants that induce seizures that mimic some features of human complex partial seizures with secondary generalization. Levetiracetam also displayed inhibitory properties in the kindling model in rats, another model of human complex partial seizures, both during kindling development and in the fully kindled state. The predictive value of these animal models for specific types of human epilepsy is uncertain. (source: Drug Bank)
Food Interactions
Take without regard to meals. Food does not affect bioavailabilty. (source: Drug Bank)
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity
Biotransformation
The major metabolic pathway of levetiracetam (24% of dose) is an enzymatic hydrolysis of the acetamide group. No CYP450 metabolism detected. (source: Drug Bank)
Protein Binding
Very low (<10%) (source: Drug Bank)
Absorption
Rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration (99%). Peak plasma concentrations occurring in about an hour following oral administration in fasted subjects. (source: Drug Bank)
Toxicity
Side effects include aggression, agitation, coma, drowsiness, reduced consciousness, slowed breathing (source: Drug Bank)
Isomeric SMILES Code:
CC[C@@H](C(=O)N)N1CCCC1=O (source: Drug Bank)
Curated Annotations (
)
-
rs2032582
at chr7:86998554
in
ABCB1
This variant maybe associated with drug resistance in chinese epilepsy patients. Sample size: 464 chinese epilepsy patients (270 drug responsive, 194 drug resistant).- Variant Name:
- ABCB1: 2677T/A>G
- Related Drugs:
- carbamazepine, clobazam, clonazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, valproic acid, vigabatrin
- Related Diseases:
- Epilepsy
- Evidence:
-
PMID:19450124
-
rs3789243
at chr7:87058822
in
ABCB1
This variant maybe associated with drug resistance in chinese epilepsy patients. Sample size: 464 chinese epilepsy patients (270 drug responsive, 194 drug resistant).- Related Drugs:
- carbamazepine, clobazam, clonazepam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate, valproic acid, vigabatrin
- Related Diseases:
- Epilepsy
- Evidence:
-
PMID:19450124
The following genes are in curated knowledge about this drug.
| Gene | Relationship | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ABCB1 |
|
Publications, Variants |
|
SV2A |
|
Publications |
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.
Drug Targets
| Gene | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| CACNA1G |
|
(source: Drug Bank) |
| CA1 |
|
(source: Drug Bank) |
| SCN1A |
|
(source: Drug Bank) |
| SV2A |
|
(source: Drug Bank) |
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.
Drug Interactions
| Drug | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| carbamazepine |
|
This association may increases the risks of carbamazepine toxicity (source: Drug Bank) |
Curated Information
The following diseases are in curated knowledge about this drug.
| Disease | Relationship | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Epilepsy |
|
Publications, Variants |
Non-Curated Information
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.
LinkOuts
Common Searches
Search PubMed
Search Medline Plus
Search PubChem
Search CTD
Non-Curated Publications
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.