Analogues
Brivaracetam, a chemical analogue to levetiracetam, is a racetam derivative with similar properties. Society and culture
Levetiracetam is available as regular and extended release oral formulations and as intravenous formulations.The immediate release tablet has been available as a generic in the United States since 2008, and in the UK since 2011. The patent for the extended release tablet will expire in 2028.The branded version Keppra is manufactured by UCB Pharmaceuticals Inc.In 2015, Aprecias 3D-printed orally disintegrating tablet form of the drug was approved by the FDA, under the trade name Spritam. Some have said that the drug has been improved by 3D printing, as the formula used now has improved disintegration properties. Legal status
Australia
Levetiracetam is a Schedule 4 substance in Australia under the Poisons Standard (February 2020). A Schedule 4 substance is classified as "Prescription Only Medicine, or Prescription Animal Remedy – Substances, the use or supply of which should be by or on the order of persons permitted by State or Territory legislation to prescribe and should be available from a pharmacist on prescription." Japan
Under Japanese law, levetiracetam and other racetams cannot be brought into the country except for personal use by a traveler for whom it has been prescribed. Travelers who plan to bring more than a months worth must apply for an import certificate, known as a Yakkan Shoumei (薬監証明, yakkan shōmei). Research
Levetiracetam is being looked at in psychiatric and neurologic conditions such as Tourette syndrome, and anxiety disorder.
However, its most serious adverse effects are behavioral, and its benefit-risk ratio in these conditions is not well understood.Levetiracetam is being tested as a drug to reduce hyperactivity in the hippocampus in Alzheimers disease.Additionally, Levetiracetam has been experimentally shown to reduce Levodopa-induced dyskinesia, a type of movement disorder, or dyskinesia associated with the use of Levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinsons disease. References
External links
"Levetiracetam". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.