Levetiracetam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Levetiracetam | |
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| IUPAC name | (2S)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butanamide |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 102767-28-2 |
| PubChem | |
| ATC code | N03 |
| SMILES |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C8H14N2O2 |
| Molar mass | 170.21 g mol−1 |
| Appearance | Fine white crystalline powder |
| Pharmacology | |
| Bioavailability | ~100% |
| Routes of administration |
Oral, Intravenous |
| Elimination half-life |
6 - 8 hr |
| Excretion | Urinary |
| Legal status |
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| Pregnancy category |
C(US) |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
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Levetiracetam (INN) (pronounced /lɛvɨtɪˈræsɨtæm/) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy.[1] It is S- enantiomer of etiracetam, structurally similar to the prototypical nootropic drug piracetam.
Levetiracetam is marketed under the trade name Keppra. Keppra is manufactured by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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[edit] Uses
Along with other anticonvulsants like gabapentin, it is also sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain.
Levetiracetam has recently been approved in the United Kingdom as a monotherapy treatment for epilepsy. It is also used in veterinary medicine for similar purposes.
Use in the management of Tourette syndrome has been proposed[2] and it has been used successfully to treat some of the symptoms of Persitent Migraine Aura and HPPD.[citation needed]
[edit] Mechanism
Levetiracetam binds to a synaptic vesicle protein, SV2A.[3] This is believed to impede nerve conduction across synapses.[4]
[edit] Side effects
Side effects include: hair loss; pins and needles sensation in the extremities; anxiety and psychiatric symptoms ranging from irritability to depression; and other common side effects like headache and nausea. Recent literature[5] suggests that the addition of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may curtail some of the psychiatric symptoms.
Levetiracetam is generally well tolerated[6] but may cause sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infection. In children, the most common side effects are sleepiness, accidental injury, hostility, irritability, and weakness. [7]
[edit] References
- ^ Abou-Khalil B (June 2008). "Levetiracetam in the treatment of epilepsy". Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 4 (3): 507–23. PMID 18830435.
- ^ Seijo-Martínez M, Mosquera-Martínez JA, Romero-Yuste S, Cruz-Martinez J (2008). "Ischemic stroke and epilepsy in a patient with tourette s syndrome: association with the antiphospholipid syndrome and good response to levetiracetam". Open Neurol J 2: 32–4. doi:. PMID 19018305.
- ^ Lynch, BA; Lambeng N, Nocka K (June 2004). "The synaptic vesicle protein SV2A is the binding site for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (The National Academy of Sciences) 101 (26): 9861–9866. doi:. PMID 15210974. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=15210974. Retrieved on 21 July 2008.
- ^ Rogawski, MA (June 2006). "Diverse mechanisms of antiepileptic drugs in the development pipeline". Epilepsy Research (National Institutes of Health) 69 (3): 273–294. doi:. PMID 16621450. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=16621450. Retrieved on 21 July 2008.
- ^ "Wiley InterScience :: JOURNALS :: Epilepsia". Retrieved on 2008-12-14.
- ^ Gambardella A, Labate A, Colosimo E, Ambrosio R, Quattrone A (February 2008). "Monotherapy for partial epilepsy: focus on levetiracetam". Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 4 (1): 33–8. PMID 18728811.
- ^ "Epilepsy, Seizure Treatment, and Epileptic Seizures: Keppra® (levetiracetam) Homepage - www.Keppra.come". Retrieved on 2008-12-14.
[edit] External links
- Keppra (levetiracetam) Final Printed Label New and Generic Drug Approvals. 29 Dec 1999. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Accessed 31 August 2005.
- Keppra UCB (manufacturer's website)
- NIH MedLine drug information
[edit] See also
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