levetiracetam
Brand names: Keppra
Levetiracetam is a medicine used to treat seizures. It helps control seizures in adults and children.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$18.94/unit
Generic Price
$0.16/unit
Generic Savings
99%
Generic Available
Yes (57 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Levetiracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month and older.
Common side effects
Sleepiness, Weakness, Infection
Key warnings
Levetiracetam can cause behavior and mood changes, including psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts.
How It Works
Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug, but how it works is not fully known. It is thought to affect certain nerve signals in the brain. This helps to reduce seizures.
How to Take It
Take levetiracetam tablets by mouth with or without food. The dose depends on your condition, age, and kidney function. For children who weigh 20 kg (44 lbs) or less, use the oral solution. Swallow the tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Levetiracetam levels in your blood may decrease during pregnancy, so your doctor may need to adjust your dose. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take antiepileptic drugs; you can enroll by calling 1-888-233-2334.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store levetiracetam tablets at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 64,317 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 127,698 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2002–2025.
Total Reports
127,698
Death-Related Reports
11,586
Hospitalization Reports
47,411
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEIZURE | 15,308 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 11,807 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 8,947 |
| 4 | FATIGUE | 5,403 |
| 5 | CONVULSION | 4,083 |
| 6 | EPILEPSY | 3,996 |
| 7 | SOMNOLENCE | 3,978 |
| 8 | FALL | 3,656 |
| 9 | HEADACHE | 3,609 |
| 10 | MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 3,535 |
| 11 | DIZZINESS | 3,469 |
| 12 | NAUSEA | 3,465 |
| 13 | DRUG INTERACTION | 3,366 |
| 14 | DIARRHOEA | 3,137 |
| 15 | DEATH | 3,126 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Levetiracetam can cause behavior and mood changes, including psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts. Watch for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Levetiracetam can also cause sleepiness and fatigue, so be careful when driving or operating machinery. Serious skin reactions and allergic reactions are possible. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as it can cause withdrawal seizures.
Known Drug Interactions
(7.3) Levetiracetam: Brivaracetam had no added therapeutic benefit when co-administered with levetiracetam. 7.4 Levetiracetam Brivaracetam provided no added therapeutic benefit to levetiracetam when the two drugs were co-administered [see Clinical Studies (14)] .
Mechanism: These two seizure medicines are very similar and work on the same parts of the brain. Taking them both at the same time does not provide any extra help in controlling seizures.
What to do: You should generally not take these two medicines together because there is no added benefit.
Common Questions
What should I avoid while taking levetiracetam?
Can I drink alcohol while taking levetiracetam?
What if I have kidney problems?
How often will I see the doctor?
Can I stop taking levetiracetam suddenly?
What if I experience side effects?
Does levetiracetam interact with other medications?
How long does it take for levetiracetam to start working?
What strengths does levetiracetam come in?
Is there a generic version of levetiracetam?
What are the common side effects of levetiracetam?
Does levetiracetam interact with other medications?
What drug class is levetiracetam?
Is there a generic version of levetiracetam?
Is levetiracetam safe during pregnancy?
Has levetiracetam been recalled?
Active Recalls
LABELING: LABEL MIX-UP: The infusion bag is incorrectly labeled as Levetiracetam in 0.82% Sodium Chloride Injection 500 mg/100 mL, while the aluminum overwrap packaging correctly identifies the product as Levetiracetam in 0.75% Sodium Chloride Injection 1,000 mg/100 mL.
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc.
CGMP Deviations: Firm went out of business and could no longer continue stability studies.
Akorn, Inc.
Related Medications in Anticonvulsant
Other drugs grouped near levetiracetam — same-class peers and common alternatives.
brivaracetam
Briviact
Brivaracetam is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures.
Compare with levetiracetam →
cannabidiol
Epidiolex
Epidiolex is a medicine that contains cannabidiol.
Compare with levetiracetam →
carbamazepine
Tegretol
Carbamazepine is a medicine used to control seizures and treat nerve pain.
Compare with levetiracetam →
cenobamate
Xcopri
Xcopri is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults.
Compare with levetiracetam →
clobazam
Onfi, Sympazan
Clobazam oral suspension is a medicine used with other medicines to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Compare with levetiracetam →
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What the FDA Data Shows for levetiracetam
The FDA label for levetiracetam (sold under brand names such as Keppra) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anticonvulsant class. Levetiracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month and older. Official labeling lists 9 commonly reported side effects, including Sleepiness, Weakness, Infection.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 64,317 voluntary reports. The database also lists 1 documented drug interaction derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.16 versus $18.94 for the brand — a 99% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 21, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages