Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Levetiracetam as follows:
- Levetiracetam intake can induce some dizziness and results in sleep. Starting the medication at a low dose and gradually increasing the dose, to help optimum control of your symptoms, can contribute to reducing the drowsiness and dizziness due to the medication. If the dizziness becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in plan of care to be considered.
- Levetiracetam can interact with a lot of other medications, thus resulting in some serious cross reactions and contribute to Discuss with your physician regarding all your current medications and their safety with Levetiracetam, if you are newly being started on Levetiracetam. Also, notify your physician regarding any current Levetiracetam intake, if you are being started on any new medications and discuss their safety with Levetiracetam.
- Do not take Levetiracetam with alcohol or opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, as these products can add to the dizziness and confusion caused by Levetiracetam. A number of OTC cough medications, antihistamines, other antiseizure medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressant and antianxiety medications, can potentiate the confusion caused by Levetiracetam, thus resulting in many cross reactions and side-effects and so, must be avoided taking along with Levetiracetam. Stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until you are used to the side effects caused by Levetiracetam intake.
