Patient leaflet - Levetiracetam Torrent 250 mg film-coated tablets
1. What LEVETIRACETAM TORRENT is and what it is used for
Levetiracetam 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 TORRENT
Do not take Levetiracetam Torrent
- If you are allergic to levetiracetam, pyrrolidone derivatives, Sunset Yellow FCF aluminium lake (E110) (only for Levetiracetam Torrent 750 mg film-coated tablets) or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Levetiracetam
- 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 slowdown 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 Torrent, see a doctor as soon as possible. Children and adolescents
Levetiracetam Torrent is not indicated in children and adolescents below 16 years on its own (monotherapy). Other medicines and Levetiracetam Torrent:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, 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 results in a loss of its effect.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor 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.
Only for Levetiracetam Torrent 750 mg film-coated tablets:
Levetiracetam Torrent contains Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)
Levetiracetam 750 mg film-coated tablets contain the colouring agent Sunset Yellow FCF aluminium lake (E110) which may cause allergic reactions.
Further information about the ingredients of this medicine
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
3. How to take LEVETIRACETAM TORRENT
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Take the number of tablets following your doctor’s instructions.
Levetiracetam must be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at about the same time each day. Adjunctive Therapy and monotherapy from 16 years of age):
Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or more:
The recommended dose is: between 1,000 mg and 3,000 mg each day.
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.
Example: if your daily dose is intended to be 1000 mg, your reduced starting dose is 2 tablets of 250 mg in the morning and 2 tablets of 250 mg in the evening, and the dose will be gradually incremented to reach 1000 mg daily after 2 weeks Adolescents (12 to 17 years) weighing less than 50 kg:
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam according to the age, weight and dose. Dose in infants (1 month to 23 months) and children (2 to 11 years) weighing less than 50 kg:
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam according to the age, weight and dose. Levetiracetam 100mg/ml oral solution is a formulation more appropriate to infants and children under the age of 6 years and to children and adolescent (from 6 to 17 years) weighing less than 50kg and when tablets don’t allow accurate dosage. Method of administration:
Swallow Levetiracetam tablets with a sufficient quantity of liquid (e.g. a glass of water). You may take Levetiracetam Torrent with or without food. After oral administration the bitter taste of levetiracetam may be experienced.
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 Torrent than you should:
The possible side effects of an overdose of Levetiracetam are sleepiness, agitation, aggression, decrease of alertness, inhibition of breathing and coma.
Contact your doctor if you took more tablets than you should. Your doctor will establish the best possible treatment of overdose. If you forget to take Levetiracetam Torrent:
Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Levetiracetam Torrent:
If stopping treatment, Levetiracetam should be discontinued gradually to avoid an increase of seizures. Should your doctor decide to stop your Levetiracetam Torrent treatment, he/she will instruct you about the gradual withdrawal of Levetiracetam Torrent If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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) and 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;
- suicide attempt and suicidal ideation;
- liver failure (a yellowish color of skin and eyes, bleeding easily, fluid buildup in the legs), hepatitis (poor appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain);
- unusual aches, pains or weakness in your muscles which go on for longer than you might expect, these could be symptoms of rhabdomyolysis (a condition which causes the breakdown of muscle tissue which can result in kidney damage). Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.
The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis (swelling of the nasal passages and the back of the throat), 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
- nasopharyngitis (swelling of the nasal passages and the back of the throat);
- somnolence (sleepiness), headache.
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, abnormal behaviour, mental disorder, 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);
- limp or difficulty walking.
- rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and associated blood creatine phosphokinase increase. Prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients when compared to non-Japanese patients.
Evidence also suggests a possible predisposition of the Japanese population to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). 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 www. mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in 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 TORRENT
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton box and blister after EXP.
The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
This medicine 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 Torrent contains:
The active substance is called levetiracetam.
Levetiracetam Torrent 250 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 250 mg of levetiracetam.
Levetiracetam Torrent 500 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 500 mg of levetiracetam.
Levetiracetam Torrent 750 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 750 mg of levetiracetam.
Levetiracetam Torrent 1000 mg film-coated tablets
Each film-coated tablet contains 1000 mg of levetiracetam.
The other ingredients are:
Levetiracetam Torrent 250 mg
Tablet core: Maize starch, Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Silica Colloidal Anhydrous, Povidone (K-30), Talc, Magnesium Stearate Film-coating: Hypromellose, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Macrogol 400, Indigo Carmine aluminium lake (E132) Levetiracetam Torrent 500 mg
Tablet core: Maize starch, Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Silica Colloidal Anhydrous, Povidone (K-30), Talc, Magnesium Stearate Film-coating: Hypromellose, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Macrogol 400, Ferric Oxide Yellow (E172)
Levetiracetam Torrent 750 mg
Tablet core: Maize starch, Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Silica Colloidal Anhydrous, Povidone (K-30), Talc, Magnesium Stearate Film-coating: Hypromellose, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Macrogol 400, Ferric Oxide Red (E 172), Sunset Yellow FCF aluminium lake (E 110)
Levetiracetam Torrent 1000 mg
Tablet core: Maize starch, Sodium starch glycolate (Type A), Silica Colloidal Anhydrous, Povidone (K-30), Talc, Magnesium Stearate Film-coating: Hypromellose, Titanium Dioxide (E171), Macrogol 400
Levetiracetam film-coated tablets are packed in blisters in cardboard boxes.
What Levetiracetam Torrent looks like and contents of the pack
Levetiracetam Torrent 250 mg
The film-coated tablets are blue colored, oval shaped, 12.9 x 6.1 mm, and debossed with break line separating ‘250’ and ‘MG’ on one side and ‘1014’ on other side.
The cardboard boxes contain 28, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 200 film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam Torrent 500 mg
The film-coated tablets are yellow colored, oval shaped, 16.2 x 7.3 mm, and debossed with breakline separating ‘500’ and ‘MG’ on one side and ‘1015’ on other side.
The cardboard boxes contain 28, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 200 film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam Torrent 750 mg
The film-coated tablets are orange colored, oval shaped, 18.8 x 8.8. mm, and debossed with breakline separating ‘750’ and ‘MG’ on one side and ‘1016’ on other side.
The cardboard boxes contain 28, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 200 film-coated tablets.
Levetiracetam Torrent 1000 mg
The film-coated tablets are white colored, oval shaped, 20.1 x 9.8 mm, and debossed with breakline separating ‘1000’ and ‘MG’ on one side and ‘1017’ on other side.
The cardboard boxes contain 28, 30, 50, 60, 100 and 200 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Torrent Pharma (UK) Ltd.
3rd Floor, Nexus Building,
4 Gatwick Road,
Crawley,
West Sussex,
RH10 9BG,
United Kingdom
Telephone: (01293) 574180
E-mail: drugsafety@torrentpharma.co.uk