Levetiracetam

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Levetiracetam
IUPAC name	(2S)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)butanamide
Identifiers
CAS number	[102767-28-2]
PubChem	441341
ATC code	N03AX14
SMILES	CC[C@@H](C(=O)N)N1CCCC1=O
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	?(US)
Pregnancy category	C(US)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

Levetiracetam (INN) (pronounced /lɛvɨtɪˈræsɨtæm/) 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. Keppra is manufactured by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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.

Contents 1 Side effects 2 References 3 External links 4 See also

[edit] Side effects

Side effects include: hair loss; pins and needles sensation in the extremities; psychiatric symptoms ranging from irritability to depression; and 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.

[edit] References

• 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.
• SID 7847774 -- PubChem Substance Summary. The PubChem Project. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved on 7 December 2005.

[edit] External links

• Keppra UCB (manufacturer's website)
• NIH MedLine drug information

[edit] See also

• Racetams

v • d • e Racetams Aniracetam  • Brivaracetam • Coluracetam • Etiracetam/Levetiracetam • Fasoracetam • Nebracetam • Nefiracetam • Oxiracetam • Phenylpiracetam • Piracetam  • Pramiracetam • Rolipram • Rolziracetam • Seletracetam

v • d • e Anticonvulsants (N03) Barbiturates Barbexaclone, Metharbital, Methylphenobarbital, Pentobarbital, Phenobarbital, Primidone Hydantoins Ethotoin, Fosphenytoin, Mephenytoin, Phenytoin Oxazolidinediones Ethadione, Paramethadione, Trimethadione Succinimides Ethosuximide, Mesuximide, Phensuximide Benzodiazepines Clobazam, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Midazolam, Nimetazepam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam Carboxamides Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine, Rufinamide Fatty acid derivatives Valpromide, Valnoctamide Carboxylic acids Valproic acid (Sodium valproate & Valproate semisodium), Tiagabine Others GABA analogs: Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Progabide, Vigabatrin -- Monosaccharides: Topiramate -- Aromatic allylic alcohols: Stiripentol -- Ureas: Phenacemide, Pheneturide -- Phenyltriazines: Lamotrigine Carbamates: Emylcamate, Felbamate, Meprobamate -- Pyrrolidines: Brivaracetam, Levetiracetam, Nefiracetam, Seletracetam Sulfa drugs: Acetazolamide, Ethoxzolamide, Sultiame, Zonisamide -- Propionates: Beclamide -- Aldehydes: Paraldehyde -- Bromides: Potassium bromide, Sodium bromide