Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Levetiracetam as follows:
- Do not take Levetiracetam, if you ever manifested any allergic response to intake of Levetiracetam. Discuss your history of allergic response to this medication with your physician, without fail.
- Levetiracetam carries the risk of causing mild increase in blood pressure. Individuals can present with symptoms of poorly controlled blood pressure, such as, episodes of headache, nose bleeds, blurred vision, complaint of chest pain, pounding sensation in the neck and ears, and confusion. Individuals with history of poorly controlled blood pressure can also be at risk for stroke, secondary to elevated blood pressure with Levetiracetam. Levetiracetam also carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating some underlying cardiac arrhythmias leading to episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Levetiracetam should be used with extreme caution in individuals with history of hypertension and arrhythmias, especially with poor control, to prevent further worsening of the cardiac status.
- Levetiracetam carries significant risk of suppressing production of white blood cells from the bone marrow and lead to agranulocytosis. Reduced white blood cell count can contribute to lowered immunity, thus resulting in frequent fever, chills, sore throat, and risk for frequent infections. Levetiracetam should be used with extreme caution in individuals with history of immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections, as it can result in further deterioration of immune status and lead to exacerbation of frequency of infections.
