Levetiracetam In Sodium Chloride
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Levetiracetam, Levetiracetam In Sodium Chloride
- Brand Names
- Levetiracetam, Levetiracetam In Sodium Chloride
- Route
- INTRAVENOUS
- Dosage Form
- INJECTION
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is an antiepileptic drug available as a clear, colorless, sterile solution for intravenous administration. The chemical name of levetiracetam, a single enantiomer, is (-)-(S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, its molecular formula is C 8 H 14 N 2 O 2 and its molecular weight is 170.21. Levetiracetam is chemically unrelated to existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It has the following structural formula: Levetiracetam USP is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a faint odor and a bitter taste. It is very soluble in water (104.0 g/100 mL). It is freely soluble in chloroform (65.3 g/100 mL) and in methanol (53.6 g/100 mL), soluble in ethanol (16.5 g/100 mL), sparingly soluble in acetonitrile (5.7 g/100 mL) and practically insoluble in n-hexane. (Solubility limits are expressed as g/100 mL solvent.) Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is a clear, colorless, sterile solution that is available in a single-dose dual port bag with an aluminum overwrap. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. 500 mg/100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 500 mg of levetiracetam USP (5 mg/mL), water for injection, 820 mg sodium chloride, 5.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. 1,000 mg/100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 1,000 mg of levetiracetam USP (10 mg/mL), water for injection, 750 mg sodium chloride, 6.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. 1,500 mg/100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 1,500 mg of levetiracetam USP (15 mg/mL), water for injection, 540 mg sodium chloride, 7.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. Levetiracetam Chemical Structure
What Is Levetiracetam In Sodium Chloride Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated for adjunct therapy in adults (≥16 years of age) with the following seizure types when oral administration is temporarily not feasible: Partial-onset seizures ( 1.1 ) Myoclonic seizures in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy ( 1.2 ) Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Partial-Onset Seizures Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. 1.2 Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. 1.3 Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. 1.4 Limitations of Use Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is an antiepileptic drug indicated for adult patients (16 years and older) when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For intravenous infusion only ( 2.1 ) Do not dilute prior to its use ( 2.1 ) Administer dose-specific bag intravenously over 15-minutes ( 2.1 ) Initial Exposure to Levetiracetam Partial-Onset Seizures: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to a maximum recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ). Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to the recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ). Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to the recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ). Switching from or to oral Levetiracetam : The total daily dosage/frequency of levetiracetam injection should be equivalent to those of oral levetiracetam ( 2.3 , 2.4 ). Renal Impairment : Dose adjustment necessary based on creatinine clearance ( 2.5 ). 2.1 General Information – Administration Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is for intravenous infusion only. It is available in the following concentrations: three single-dose 100 mL bags, each containing a different total dosage of levetiracetam (500 mg [5 mg/mL], 1,000 mg [10 mg/mL], or 1,500 mg [15 mg/mL]). A single-dose bag should be administered intravenously over a 15-minute I.V. infusion period. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection should not be further diluted prior to use. Any unused portion of the Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection contents should be discarded. 2.2 Initial Exposure to Levetiracetam Levetiracetam can be initiated with either intravenous or oral administration. Partial-Onset Seizures In clinical trials of oral levetiracetam, daily doses of 1,000 mg, 2,000 mg, and 3,000 mg, given as twice-daily dosing, were shown to be effective. Although in some studies there was a tendency toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ], a consistent increase in response with increased dose has not been shown. Treatment should be initiated with a daily dose of 1,000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Additional dosing increments may be given (1,000 mg/day additional every 2 weeks) to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg. Doses greater than 3,000 mg/day have been used in open-label studies with levetiracetam tablets for periods of 6 months and longer. There is no evidence that doses greater than 3,000 mg/day confer additional benefit. Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Treatment should be initiated with a dose of 1,000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Dosage should be increased by 1,000 mg/day every 2 weeks to the recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg. The...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in more details in other sections of labeling: Psychiatric Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Coordination Difficulties [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Withdrawal Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Hematologic Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Seizure Control During Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence in levetiracetam-treated patients is ≥5% more than in placebo-treated patients) include: somnolence, asthenia, infection, and dizziness (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Eugia US LLC at 1-866-850-2876 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reactions that result from levetiracetam injection use include all of those reported for levetiracetam tablets and oral solution. Equivalent doses of intravenous (I.V.) levetiracetam and oral levetiracetam result in equivalent C max , C min , and total systemic exposure to levetiracetam when the I.V. levetiracetam is administered as a 15-minute infusion. Partial-Onset Seizures In controlled clinical studies using levetiracetam tablets in adults with partial-onset seizures [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ], the most common adverse reactions in adult patients receiving levetiracetam in combination with other AEDs, for events with rates greater than placebo, were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness. Of the most common adverse reactions in adults experiencing partial-onset seizures, asthenia, somnolence and dizziness occurred predominantly during the first 4 weeks of treatment with levetiracetam. Table 2 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of adult epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam tablets in placebo-controlled studies and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. In these studies, either levetiracetam or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in intensity. Table 2: Adverse Reactions* in Placebo-Controlled, Adjunctive Studies in Adults Experiencing Partial-Onset Seizures Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N = 769) % Placebo (N = 439) % * Adverse reactions occurred in at least 1% of levetiracetam-treated patients and occurred more frequently than placebo-treated patients Asthenia 15 9 Somnolence 15 8 Headache 14 13 Infection 13 8 Dizziness 9 4 Pain 7 6 Pharyngitis 6 4 Depression 4 2 Nervousness 4 2 Rhinitis 4 3 Anorexia 3 2 Ataxia 3 1 Vertigo 3 1 Amnesia 2 1 Anxiety 2 1 Cough Increased 2 1 Diplopia 2 1 Emotional Lability 2 0 Hostility 2 1 Paresthesia 2 1 Sinusitis 2 1 In controlled adult clinical studies using levetiracetam tablets, 15% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 12% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse reaction. Table 3 lists the most common (>1%) adverse reactions that resulted in discontinuation or dose reduction and that occurred more frequently in levetiracetam-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. Table 3: Adverse Reactions that Resulted in Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in Placebo-Controlled Studies in Adults Experiencing Partial-Onset Seizures Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N = 769) % Placebo (N = 439) % Somnolence 4 2 Dizziness 1 0 Myoclonic Seizures Although the pattern of adverse...
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to levetiracetam. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. Known hypersensitivity to levetiracetam; angioedema and anaphylaxis have occurred ( 4 )
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including levetiracetam, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking levetiracetam injection during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) pregnancy registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. Risk Summary Prolonged experience with levetiracetam in pregnant women has not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage, based on published literature, which includes data from pregnancy registries and reflects experience over two decades [see Human Data]. In animal studies, levetiracetam produced developmental toxicity (increased embryofetal and offspring mortality, increased incidences of fetal structural abnormalities, decreased embryofetal and offspring growth, neurobehavioral alterations in offspring) at doses similar to human therapeutic doses [see Animal Data]. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations Levetiracetam blood levels may decrease during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ]. Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect levetiracetam concentration. Decrease in levetiracetam plasma concentrations has been observed during pregnancy. This decrease is more pronounced during the third trimester. Dose adjustments may be necessary to maintain clinical response. Data Human Data While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, data from the published literature and pregnancy registries have not established an association with levetiracetam use during pregnancy and major birth defects or miscarriage. Animal...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE 10.1 Signs, Symptoms and Laboratory Findings of Acute Overdosage in Humans The highest known dose of oral levetiracetam received in the clinical development program was 6,000 mg/day. Other than drowsiness, there were no adverse reactions in the few known cases of overdose in clinical trials. Cases of somnolence, agitation, aggression, depressed level of consciousness, respiratory depression and coma were observed with levetiracetam overdoses in postmarketing use. 10.2 Management of Overdose There is no specific antidote for overdose with levetiracetam. If indicated, elimination of unabsorbed drug should be attempted by emesis or gastric lavage; usual precautions should be observed to maintain airway. General supportive care of the patient is indicated including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the patient’s clinical status. A Certified Poison Control Center should be contacted for up to date information on the management of overdose with levetiracetam. 10.3 Hemodialysis Standard hemodialysis procedures result in significant clearance of levetiracetam (approximately 50% in 4 hours) and should be considered in cases of overdose. Although hemodialysis has not been performed in the few known cases of overdose, it may be indicated by the patient’s clinical state or in patients with significant renal impairment.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is a clear, colorless, sterile solution that is available in a single-dose 100 mL dual port bag with an aluminum overwrap. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. It is available in the following presentations: 500 mg per 100 mL (5 mg/mL) 100 mL Single-Dose Infusion Bags (overwrapped), packaged in a Carton of 10 NDC 55150-246-47 1,000 mg per 100 mL (10 mg/mL) 100 mL Single-Dose Infusion Bags (overwrapped), packaged in a Carton of 10 NDC 55150-247-47 1,500 mg per 100 mL (15 mg/mL) 100 mL Single-Dose Infusion Bags (overwrapped), packaged in a Carton of 10 NDC 55150-248-47 16.2 Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.