Description
LevetiCam 500mg
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Description
Levetiracetam, sold under brand names such as Keppra®, is an antiepileptic drug (AED) used for the treatment of seizures.
It is a unique anticonvulsant due to its distinct and novel mechanism of action, which is different from most other AEDs. Levetiracetam is often favored by clinicians because it has a favorable safety profile, minimal drug-drug interactions, and does not require dose titration for many of its indications, allowing for rapid treatment. It is available in oral forms (tablets, extended-release tablets, oral solution) and an intravenous (IV) formulation. Indications
Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum AED, meaning it is effective for a variety of seizure types. Its main indications include:
- Partial-Onset Seizures: Used as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in adults and children 4 years of age and older.
- Myoclonic Seizures: Used as adjunctive therapy in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
- Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Used as adjunctive therapy in adults and children 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
Mechanism of Action
The exact mechanism of action of levetiracetam is not fully understood, but its primary effect is believed to be related to its selective binding to a synaptic vesicle protein.
- Synaptic Vesicles: Neurons communicate by releasing neurotransmitters from small sacs called synaptic vesicles.
These vesicles travel to the presynaptic terminal (the end of the sending neuron) and fuse with the membrane, releasing their contents into the synaptic cleft. This process, known as synaptic transmission, is essential for brain function.
- The SV2A Protein: A key protein involved in this process is synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A).
The precise function of SV2A is still under investigation, but it is known to be involved in regulating the fusion of vesicles with the presynaptic membrane and the subsequent release of neurotransmitters. - Levetiracetam’s Action: Levetiracetam works by binding with high affinity and selectivity to the SV2A protein.
By binding to this protein, levetiracetam is thought to modulate the release of neurotransmitters.
- Resulting Effect: This modulation is believed to reduce the synchronous, high-frequency firing of neurons that characterizes a seizure.
By dampening the excessive release of excitatory neurotransmitters (like glutamate) and potentially promoting inhibitory neurotransmission, levetiracetam stabilizes neuronal activity and prevents the spread of seizure discharges.
Because levetiracetam’s mechanism of action is distinct from most other AEDs, it does not interact with the GABAergic, glutamatergic, or sodium channel pathways that are targeted by other anticonvulsants. This unique profile explains its broad spectrum of activity and its low potential for drug-drug interactions.
- Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Used as adjunctive therapy in adults and children 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.
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