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Levetiracetam Bristol Labs 100 mg/ml Oral Solution – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: Prescription only (POM) Details

Medicine strength:
100 mg/ml
Contains active substance:

Patient leaflet - Levetiracetam Bristol Labs 100 mg/ml oral solution

1. What Levetiracetam Oral Solution is and what it is used for

The name of your medicine is Levetiracetam Bristol Labs 100mg/ml Oral Solution and is referred as ‘Levetiracetam Oral Solution’ throughout the leaflet.

Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml Oral Solution is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy).

Levetiracetam is used:

  • on its own in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to treat a certain form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where the patients have repeated fits (seizures). Levetiracetam is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits initially affect only one side of the brain, but could thereafter extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain (partial onset seizure with or without secondary generalisation). Levetiracetam has been given to you by your doctor to reduce the number of fits. • as an add-on to other antiepileptic medicines to treat:

    • partial onset seizures with or without generalisation in adults, adolescents, children and infants from one month of age
    • myoclonic seizures (short, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy - primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major fits, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (the type of epilepsy that is thought to have a genetic cause).

2. What you need to know before you take Levetiracetam Oral Solution

Do not take Levetiracetam Oral Solution:

  • if you are allergic to levetiracetam, pyrrolidone derivatives or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Levetiracetam Oral Solution: • If you suffer from kidney problems, follow your doctor’s instructions. He/she may decide if your dose should be adjusted.

  • If you notice any slow down in the growth or unexpected puberty development of your child, please contact your doctor.
  • A small number of people being treated with anti-epileptics such as levetiracetam have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you have any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation, please contact your doctor.

    • If you have a family or medical history of irregular heart rhythm (visible on an electrocardiogram), or if you have a disease and/or take a treatment that make(s) you prone to heartbeat irregularities or salt imbalances.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or last longer than a few days:

  • Abnormal thoughts, feeling irritable or reacting more aggressively than usually, or if you or your family and friends notice important changes in mood or behaviour. • Aggravation of epilepsy

    Your seizures may rarely become worse or happen more often, mainly during the first month after the start of the treatment or increase of the dose. In a very rare form of early-onset epilepsy (epilepsy associated with SCN8A mutations) that causes multiple types of seizures and loss of skills you may notice that the seizures remain present or are becoming worse during your treatment. If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking levetiracetam, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Children and adolescents

Levetiracetam is not indicated in children and adolescents below 16 years on it’s own (monotherapy).

Other medicines and Levetiracetam Oral Solution

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Do not take macrogol (a drug used as laxative) for one hour before and one hour after taking levetiracetam as this may result in a reduction of its effect.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Levetiracetam can be used during pregnancy, only if after careful assessment it is considered necessary by your doctor.

You should not stop your treatment without discussing this with your doctor. A risk of birth defects for your unborn child cannot be completely excluded. Two studies do not suggest an increased risk of autism or intellectual disability in children born to mothers treated with levetiracetam during pregnancy. However, the available data regarding the impact of levetiracetam on neurodevelopment in children is limited.

Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment.

Driving and using machines

Levetiracetam may impair your ability to drive or operate any tools or machinery, as it may make you feel sleepy. This is more likely at the beginning of treatment or after an increase in the dose. You should not drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.

Levetiracetam Oral Solution contains methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, maltitol and sodium

Levetiracetam Oral Solution includes methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed). If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars (such as maltitol (E965)), contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Information on sodium content

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 5 ml, that is to say essentially “sodium free”.

3. How to take Levetiracetam Oral Solution

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Levetiracetam Oral Solution must be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the same time each day.

Take the oral solution following your doctor’s instructions.

Monotherapy (from 16 years of age)

Adults (>8years) and adolescents (from 16 years of age): Measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package for patients 4 years and above. General dose: Levetiracetam is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 5 ml (500mg) and 15 ml (1500mg).

When you will first start taking levetiracetam, your doctor will prescribe you a lower dose during 2 weeks before giving you the lowest general dose.

Add-on therapy

Dose in adults and adolescents (12 to 17 years):

Measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package for patients of 4 years and above.

General dose: Levetiracetam is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 5 ml (500mg) and 15 ml (1500mg).

Dose in children 6 months and older:

Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of levetiracetam according to the age, weight and dose.

For children 6 months to 4 years, measure the appropriate dosage using the 3 ml syringe included in the package.

For children above 4 years, measure the appropriate dosage using the 10 ml syringe included in the package.

General dose: Levetiracetam is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 0.1 ml (10mg) and 0.3 ml (30mg), per kg bodyweight of the child (see table below for dose examples).

Dose in children 6 months and older:

Weight

Starting dose:

0.1 ml/kg twice daily

Maximum dose: 0.3 ml/kg twice daily
6 kg0.6 ml twice daily1.8 ml twice daily
8 kg0.8 ml twice daily2.4 ml twice daily

10 kg

15 kg

1 ml twice daily

1.5 ml twice daily

3 ml twice daily

4.5 ml twice daily

20 kg2 ml twice daily6 ml twice daily
25 kg2.5 ml twice daily7.5 ml twice daily

From 50 kg 5 ml twice daily 15 ml twice daily

Dose in infants (1 month to less than 6 months):

For infants 1 month to less than 6 months, measure the appropriate dosage using the 1 ml syringe included in the package.

General dose: Levetiracetam is taken twice daily, in two equally divided doses, each individual dose being measured between 0.07 ml (7mg) and 0.21 ml (21mg), per kg bodyweight of the infant. (see table below for dose examples).

5 mm

Dose in infants (1 month to less than 6 months):

Weight

Starting dose:

0.07 ml/kg twice daily

Maximum dose:

0.21 ml/kg twice daily

4 kg0.3 ml twice daily0.85 ml twice daily
5 kg0.35 ml twice daily1.05 ml twice daily
6 kg0.45 ml twice daily1.25 ml twice daily
7 kg0.5 ml twice daily1.5 ml twice daily

Method of administration:

After measuring the correct dosage with an appropriate syringe, levetiracetam oral solution may be diluted in a glass of water or baby’s bottle. You may take levetiracetam with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of Levetiracetam may be experienced. Instructions for use:

  • Open the bottle: press the cap and turn it anticlockwise (figure 1)
  • Separate the adaptor from the syringe (figure 2). Insert the adaptor into the bottle neck (figure 3). Ensure it is well fixed.
  • Take the syringe and put it in the adaptor opening (figure 4). Turn the bottle upside down (figure 5).
  • Fill the syringe with a small amount of solution by pulling the piston down (figure 5A), then push the piston upward in order to remove any possible bubble (figure 5B). Pull the piston down to the graduation mark corresponding to the quantity in millilitres (ml) prescribed by your doctor (figure 5C).
  • Turn the bottle the right way up (figure 6A). Remove the syringe from the adaptor (figure 6B).

    2 3

    4 5

10 mm

10 mm

6 A 6 B

5

Front

V13 31-10-25 D0

  • Empty the contents of the syringe in a glass of water or baby’s bottle by pushing the piston to the bottom of the syringe (figure 7).
  • Drink the whole contents of the glass/baby’s bottle.
  • Close the bottle with the plastic screw cap.
  • Wash the syringe with water only (figure 8).

Duration of treatment:

  • Levetiracetam is used as a chronic treatment. You should continue Levetiracetam treatment for as long as your doctor has told you.
  • Do not stop your treatment without your doctor’s advice as this could increase your seizures.

If you take more Levetiracetam than you should

The possible side effects of Levetiracetam overdose are agitation, aggression, sleepiness, decrease of alertness, inhibition of breathing and coma.

Contact your doctor if you took more Levetiracetam than you should. Your doctor will establish the best possible treatment of overdose.

If you forget to take Levetiracetam

If you forget to take one or more doses then contact your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Levetiracetam

If stopping treatment, Levetiracetam should be discontinued gradually to avoid an increase of seizures.

Should your doctor decide to stop your Levetiracetam treatment, he/she will instruct you about the gradual withdrawal of Levetiracetam.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor immediately, or go to your nearest emergency department, if you experience:

  • weakness, feel light-headed or dizzy or have difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a serious allergic (anaphylactic) reaction
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat (Quincke’s oedema)
  • flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face followed by an extended rash with a high temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and the involvement of other body organs (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms [DRESS])
  • symptoms such as low urine volume, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease of kidney function • a skin rash which may form blisters and look like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)

    • a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
    • a more severe form of rash causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
    • signs of serious mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, somnolence (sleepiness), amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal behaviour or other neurological signs including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These could be symptoms of an encephalopathy.

The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis, somnolence (sleepiness), headache, fatigue and dizziness. At the beginning of the treatment or at dose increase side effects like sleepiness, tiredness and dizziness may be more common. These effects should however decrease over time.

Very common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

  • somnolence (sleepiness), headache
  • nasopharyngitis

Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

  • anorexia (loss of appetite);
  • depression, hostility or aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability; • convulsion, balance disorder (equilibrium disorder), dizziness (sensation of unsteadiness), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary trembling); • vertigo (sensation of rotation);
  • cough;
  • abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia (indigestion), vomiting, nausea; • rash;
  • asthenia/fatigue (tiredness).

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

  • decreased number of blood platelets, decreased number of white blood cells; • weight decrease, weight increase;
  • suicide attempt and suicidal ideation, mental disorder, abnormal behaviour, hallucination, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood swings, agitation; • amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination ataxia (impaired coordinated movements), paraesthesia (tingling), disturbance in attention (loss of concentration)
  • diplopia (double vision), vision blurred;
  • elevated/abnormal values in a liver function test;
  • hair loss, eczema, pruritus;
  • muscle weakness, myalgia (muscle pain);
  • injury.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

  • infection;
  • decreased number of all blood cell types;
  • severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction [severe and important allergic reaction], Quincke’s oedema [swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat])
  • decreased blood sodium concentration;
  • suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), thinking abnormal (slow thinking, unable to concentrate);
  • delirium;
  • encephalopathy (see sub-section “Tell your doctor immediately” for a detailed description of symptoms);
  • seizures may become worse or happen more often
  • uncontrollable muscle spasms affecting the head, torso and limbs, difficulty in controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity);
  • change of the heart rhythm (electrocardiogram)
  • pancreatitis;
  • liver failure, hepatitis;
  • sudden decrease in kidney function
  • skin rash, which may form blisters and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash

    with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing skin peeling in more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis).

    • rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and associated blood creatine phosphokinase increase. Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non Japanese patients.
    • limp or difficulty walking.
    • combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate, confusion, low level of consciousness (may be signs of a disorder called neuroleptic malignant syndrome).

Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10000 people

  • repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations or the urge to do something over and over again (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Levetiracetam Oral Solution

  • Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the cardboard box and bottle after EXP: The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
  • Do not use after 7 months of first opening the bottle.
  • This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. • Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Levetiracetam Oral Solution contains

  • The active substance is Levetiracetam. Each 1 ml of solution contains 100 mg of the active ingredient.
  • The other ingredients are liquid maltitol (E965), glycerol (E422), methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), citric acid monohydrate, sodium citrate (dihydrate), ammonium glycyrrhizate, acesulfame potassium, ART grape FL #10273 flavour (containing propylene glycol) and purified water.

What Levetiracetam Oral Solution looks like and contents of the pack

  • Levetiracetam Oral Solution is a clear, colourless grape flavoured liquid and is available in below pack sizes.
  • The 300 ml glass bottle (for children aged 4 years and above, adolescents and adults) is packed in an outer carton with a polypropylene t closure containing a 10 ml graduated oral syringe and an adaptor for the syringe.
  • The 200 ml glass bottle (for infants and young children aged from 6 months to less than 4 years) is packed in an outer carton with a polypropylene closure containing a 3 ml graduated oral syringe and an adaptor for the syringe.
  • The 200 ml glass bottle (for infants aged 1 month to less than 6 months) is packed in an outer carton with a polypropylene closure containing a 1 ml graduated oral syringe and an adaptor for the syringe. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Bristol Laboratories Ltd.

Unit 3, Canalside,

Northbridge Road,

Berkhamsted, HP4 1EG,

United Kingdom.

Telephone: 0044 (0)1442 200922

Email: info@bristol-labs.co.uk

Manufacturer

Bristol Laboratories Limited

Laporte Way Luton, LU4 8WL,

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Bristol Laboratories Limited

Unit 5, Traynor Way,

Whitehouse Business Park,

Peterlee, SR8 2RU,

United Kingdom

Levetiracetam Bristol Labs 100mg/ml Oral Solution: PL 17907/0573;

This leaflet was last revised in October 2025

To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio format then please contact the marketing authorisation holder at the address (telephone or email) above.

530 x 260 mm

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About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 17907/0573

Last revision stated in the text: October 2025 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Levetiracetam Bristol Labs 100 mg/ml oral solution

Prescription needed? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance Levetiracetam
Strength 100 mg/ml
Pharmaceutical form Oral solution
A clear, colorless grape flavoured liquid
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Sodium citrate, Citric acid, monohydrate, Methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), Propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), Ammonium glycyrrhizate, Acesulfame potassium, Glycerol, Liquid maltitol, ART Grape FL#10273 flavour (containing Propylene glycol) Purified water
Is it available? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 36 months
After first opening: 7 months
Storage This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Drug group (ATC) Antiepileptics, other antiepileptics
  1. N Nervous system drugs
    1. N03 Antiepileptics
      1. N03A Antiepileptics
        1. N03AX Other antiepileptics
          1. N03AX14 levetiracetam
Marketing authorisation PL 17907/0573 (first authorised 27 January 2025)
Marketing authorisation holder Bristol Laboratories Ltd
Codes BNF 04080100

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.