As with other drugs, levetiracetam oral tablets can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and irritability. If the side effects of levetiracetam become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Levetiracetam oral tablets are generic drugs that are prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and some children.

Levetiracetam oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Keppra. Levetiracetam extended-release (ER) oral tablet is available as Keppra XR. Extended-release tablets release the active drug slowly into your body over a period of time.

Levetiracetam also comes in injectable forms and other oral forms, but this article does not cover them.

Read on to learn about the potential common, mild, and serious side effects of levetiracetam.

Levetiracetam can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with levetiracetam use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, refer to the prescribing information of levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet.

Mild side effects that have been reported with levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet include:

  • sleepiness
  • irritability
  • aggression
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • increased risk of infection
  • nasal congestion
  • low appetite

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking levetiracetam and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

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Levetiracetam may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, refer to the prescribing information of levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet.

If you develop serious side effects while taking levetiracetam, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

  • withdrawal seizures (more frequent or severe seizures) if levetiracetam is suddenly stopped
  • changes in behavior, such as aggressive behavior
  • difficulties with coordination could lead to problems in activities such as walking, speaking, or driving
  • severe skin reactions
  • new or worsening depression, which may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Levetiracetam: Managing side effects” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, levetiracetam can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet. But it has occurred since the drug was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to levetiracetam, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

While taking levetiracetam, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.

Severe skin reactions

Levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet can cause severe skin reactions. These reactions may include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome).

Steps you can take to manage this side effect include:

  • stopping levetiracetam treatment and calling your doctor right away if you experience fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling in your face
  • calling 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency

New or worsening depression

New or worsening depression was a common side effect reported in clinical trials of levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet.

Steps you can take to manage this side effect include:

  • monitoring for symptoms of depression, such as unusual changes in mood, loss of pleasure in activities that usually bring you joy, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • talking with your doctor if you experience new or worsening symptoms
  • calling 911 or your local emergency number if you think your symptoms are life threatening

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Levetiracetam may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

What are the long-term side effects of levetiracetam?

Long-term side effects weren’t reported in clinical trials of levetiracetam oral tablet and ER oral tablet. Levetiracetam is meant to be a long-term treatment, but taking the drug long term isn’t expected to increase your risk of side effects.

If you’re concerned about the risk of long-term side effects with levetiracetam, talk with your doctor.

Does levetiracetam 500 mg cause different side effects than the drug’s other strengths?

Not necessarily. The type of side effects you may experience don’t usually change depending on the strength of levetiracetam.

The strengths of levetiracetam oral tablet include 250 milligrams (mg), 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1000 mg. The strengths of levetiracetam ER oral tablet include 500 mg, 750 mg, and 1000 mg.

If you have questions about your levetiracetam dose or any side effects you may experience, talk with your doctor.

Does levetiracetam cause certain side effects in older adults?

In clinical trials of levetiracetam oral tablet, the drug didn’t cause different side effects in older adults (ages 65 years and older) compared to younger adults. This is expected to be the same with levetiracetam ER oral tablet.

However, the risk of side effects may be higher in older adults with decreased kidney function. This is because the body removes levetiracetam using the kidneys. Since older adults are more likely to have reduced kidney function, their bodies may not clear levetiracetam as quickly. This can increase the risk of side effects from the drug.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor will recommend the right dose of levetiracetam for you. They may also monitor your kidney function during treatment.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the side effects of levetiracetam in older adults.

Before taking levetiracetam, discuss your health history with your doctor. Levetiracetam may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • mental health conditions, such as depression or suicidal thoughts
  • kidney problems, such as kidney failure
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.