Article: Levetiracetam

Levetiracetam
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butanamide
Identifiers
CAS number	102767-28-2
ATC code	N03AX14
PubChem	441341
DrugBank	APRD01068
Chemical data
Formula	C8H14N2O2
Mol. weight	170.209 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	100%
Metabolism	Renal
Half life	6-8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	USA: C
Legal status	USA: Rx only
Routes	Oral

Levetiracetam (INN) (IPA: [lɛvətɪˈræsəˌtæm]) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. It is S- enantiomer of etiracetam, structurally similar to the prototypical nootropic drug piracetam. Along with other anticonvulsants like gabapentin, it is also sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain. Levetiracetam is marketed under the trade name Keppra.

Side effects

Side effects include: ataxia (sudden loss of balance); hair loss; pins and needles sensation in the extremities; psychiatric symptoms ranging from sudden, intense feelings of rage or frank psychosis; vivid dreams; and many other common side effects like headache and nausea. Recent literature[1] (and paper 2.163 in [2]) suggests that the addition of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may curtail some of the psychiatric symptoms.