FDA approves new epilepsy drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Washington, DC, has approved levetiracetam tablets, a new medication for patients who continue to struggle for seizure control despite taking other seizure medication.
The FDA cleared the new medication as an add-on therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary generalization in adult patients with epilepsy. Levetiracetam is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and food does not affect the extent of bioavailability.
Steady state is achieved after two days of multiple twice daily dosing. In addition, levetiracetam is not associated with adverse drug interactions when used in conjunction with other anti-epileptic drugs.
Levetiracetam is marketed in the United States by UCB Pharma in Smyrna, GA, under the brand name Keppra. The drug comes in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg tablets and will be available in U.S. pharmacies this spring.
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