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LEVETIRACETAM

RxNorm 807832· ORAL

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited

Indications and usage

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Levetiracetam extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 12 years of age and older ( 1 ) Levetiracetam extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 12 years of age and older.

Dosage and administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Initiate treatment with a dose of 1,000 mg once daily; increase by 1,000 mg every 2 weeks to a maximum recommended dose of 3,000 mg once daily ( 2 ) See full prescribing information for use in patients with impaired renal function ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing For adults and adolescent patients, the recommended dosing for monotherapy and adjunctive therapy is the same; as outlined below. Adults and Adolescents 12 Years of Age and Older Weighing 50 kg or More Initiate treatment with a dose of 1,000 mg once daily. The once daily dosage may be adjusted in increments of 1,000 mg every 2 weeks to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg/day once daily. Administration Levetiracetam extended-release tablets are administered once daily. levetiracetam extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole. The tablets should not be chewed, broken, or crushed. 2.2 Dosage Adjustments in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment Levetiracetam extended-release tablets dosing must be individualized according to the patient's renal function status. Recommended dosage adjustments for adults are shown in Table 1. In order to calculate the dose recommended for patients with renal impairment, creatinine clearance adjusted for body surface area must be calculated. To do this, an estimate of the patient's creatinine clearance (CLcr) in mL/min must first be calculated using the following formula: [140-age (years)] x weight (kg) CLcr= ----------------------------------------- (x0.85 for female patients) 72 x serum creatinine (mg/dL) Then CLcr is adjusted for body surface area (BSA) as follows: CLcr (mL/min) CLcr (mL/min/1.73m 2 )= ---------------------------- x 1.73 BSA subject (m 2 ) Table 1: Dosage Adjustment Regimen for Adult Patients with Renal Impairment Group Creatinine Clearance (mL/min/1.73m 2 ) Dosage (mg) Frequency Normal > 80 1,000 to 3,000 Every 24 hours Mild 50 to 80 1,000 to 2,000 Every 24 hours Moderate 30 to 50 500 to 1,500 Every 24 hours Severe < 30 500 to 1,000 Every 24 hours 2.3 Discontinuation of Levetiracetam Extended-Release Tablets Avoid abrupt withdrawal from levetiracetam extended-release tablets in order to reduce the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] .

Warnings

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Behavioral abnormalities including psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, irritability, and aggressive behavior have been observed; monitor patients for psychiatric signs and symptoms ( 5.1 ) Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor patients for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts/behavior, and/or unusual changes in mood or behavior ( 5.2 ) Monitor for somnolence and fatigue and advise patients not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on levetiracetam extended-release tablets ( 5.3 ) Serious Dermatological Reactions: Discontinue levetiracetam extended-release tablets at the first sign of rash unless clearly not drug related ( 5.5 ) Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity: Discontinue if no alternative etiology ( 5.6 ) Coordination Difficulties: Monitor for ataxia, abnormal gait, and incoordination. Advise patients to not drive or operate machinery until they have gained experience on levetiracetam extended-release tablets ( 5.7 ) Withdrawal Seizures: Levetiracetam extended-release tablets must be gradually withdrawn ( 5.8 ) 5.1 Behavioral Abnormalities and Psychotic Symptoms Levetiracetam extended-release tablets may cause behavioral abnormalities and psychotic symptoms. Patients treated with levetiracetam extended-release tablets should be monitored for psychiatric signs and symptoms. Behavioral abnormalities Levetiracetam Extended-Release Tablets A total of 7% of levetiracetam extended-release tablets-treated patients experienced non-psychotic behavioral disorders (reported as irritability and aggression) compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients. Irritability was reported in 7% of levetiracetam extended-release tablets-treated patients. Aggression was reported in 1% of levetiracetam extended-release tablets-treated patients. No patient discontinued treatment or had a dose reduction as a result of these adverse reactions. The number of patients exposed to levetiracetam extended-release tablets was considerably smaller than the number of patients exposed to immediate-release levetiracetam tablets in controlled trials. Therefore, certain adverse reactions observed in the immediate-release levetiracetam controlled trials will likely occur in patients receiving levetiracetam extended-release tablets. Immediate-Release Levetiracetam Tablets A total of 13% of adult patients and 38% of pediatric patients (4 to 16 years of age) treated with immediate-release levetiracetam experienced non-psychotic behavioral symptoms (reported as aggression, agitation, anger, anxiety, apathy, depersonalization, depression, emotional lability, hostility, hyperkinesias, irritability, nervousness, neurosis, and personality disorder), compared to 6% and 19% of adult and pediatric patients on placebo. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the neurocognitive and behavioral effects of immediate-release levetiracetam tablets as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients (4 to 16 years of age). An exploratory analysis suggested a worsening in aggressive behavior in patients treated with immediate-release levetiracetam tablets in that study [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )] . A total of 1.7% of adult patients treated with immediate-release levetiracetam discontinued treatment due to behavioral adverse reactions, compared to 0.2% of placebo-treated patients. The treatment dose was reduced in 0.8% of adult patients treated with immediate-release levetiracetam tablets, compared to 0.5% of placebo-treated patients. Overall, 11% of pediatric patients treated with immediate-release levetiracetam experienced behavioral symptoms associated with discontinuation or dose reduction, compared to 6.2% of placebo-treated pediatric patients. One percent of adult patients and 2% of pediatric patients (4 to 16 years of age) treated with immediate-release levetiracetam experienced psychotic symptoms, compared …

Contraindications

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Known hypersensitivity to levetiracetam; angioedema and anaphylaxis have occurred ( 4 , 5.4 ) Levetiracetam extended-release tablets are contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to levetiracetam. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including levetiracetam extended-release tablets, during pregnancy. Encourage women who are taking levetiracetam extended-release tablets during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) pregnancy registry by calling 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. Risk Summary Prolonged experience with levetiracetam in pregnant women has not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage, based on published literature, which includes data from pregnancy registries and reflects experience over two decades [see Human Data] . In animal studies, levetiracetam produced developmental toxicity (increased embryofetal and offspring mortality, increased incidences of fetal structural abnormalities, decreased embryofetal and offspring growth, neurobehavioral alterations in offspring) at doses similar to human therapeutic doses [see Animal Data] . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Clinical Considerations Levetiracetam extended-release tablets levels may decrease during pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )]. Physiological changes during pregnancy may affect levetiracetam concentration. Decrease in levetiracetam plasma concentrations has been observed during pregnancy. This decrease is more pronounced during the third trimester. Dose adjustments may be necessary to maintain clinical response. Data Human Data While available studies cannot definitively establish the absence of risk, data from the published literature and pregnancy registries have not established an association with levetiracetam use during pregnancy and major birth defects or miscarriage. Animal Data When levetiracetam (0, 400, 1,200, or 3,600 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis, reduced fetal weights and increased incidence of fetal skeletal variations were observed at the highest dose tested. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal developmental in rats (1,200 mg/kg/day) is approximately 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 3,000 mg on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis. Oral administration of levetiracetam (0, 200, 600, or 1,800 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in increased embryofetal mortality and incidence of fetal skeletal variations at the mid and high dose and decreased fetal weights and increased incidence of fetal malformations at the high dose, which was associated with maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development in rabbits (200 mg/kg/day) is approximately equivalent to the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. Oral administration of levetiracetam (0, 70, 350, or 1,800 mg/kg/day) to female rats throughout pregnancy and lactation led to an increased incidence of fetal skeletal variations, reduced fetal body weight, and decreased growth in offspring at the mid and high doses and increased pup mortality and neurobehavioral alterations in offspring at the highest dose tested. There was no evidence of maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for adverse effects on pre- and postnatal development in rats (70 mg/kg/day) is less than the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. Oral administration of levetiracetam to rats during the latter part of gestation and throughout lactation produced no adverse developmental or maternal effects at doses of up to 1,800 mg/kg/day (6 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis).

Adverse events

Most frequently reported events (FDA FAERS). Report frequency does not imply causation.

  • seizure15,703
  • drug ineffective12,085
  • off label use9,239
  • fatigue5,515
  • convulsion4,085
  • somnolence4,071
  • epilepsy4,046
  • fall3,713
  • headache3,679
  • maternal exposure during pregnancy3,616
  • nausea3,544
  • dizziness3,540
  • drug interaction3,405
  • diarrhoea3,181
  • death3,176
  • vomiting3,174

Adverse reactions (label)

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% more than placebo) include: somnolence and irritability ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Torrent Pharma Inc. at 1-800-912-9561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. The following adverse reactions are discussed in more details in other sections of labeling: Behavioral abnormalities and Psychotic Symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Coordination Difficulties [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Hematologic Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Levetiracetam Extended-Release Tablets In the controlled clinical study in patients with partial-onset seizures [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )], the most common adverse reactions in patients receiving levetiracetam extended-release tablets in combination with other AEDs, for events with rates greater than placebo, were irritability and somnolence. Table 3 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam extended-release tablets in the placebo-controlled study and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. In this study, either levetiracetam extended-release tablets or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Table 3: Adverse Reactions in the Placebo-Controlled, Adjunctive Study in Patients Experiencing Partial-Onset Seizures Levetiracetam Extended-Release Placebo Tablets (N=79) (N=77) % % Influenza 8 4 Somnolence 8 3 Irritability 7 0 Nasopharyngitis 7 5 Dizziness 5 3 Nausea 5 3 Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in the Levetiracetam Extended-Release Tablets Controlled Clinical Study In the controlled clinical study, 5% of patients receiving levetiracetam extended-release tablets and 3% receiving placebo discontinued as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions that resulted in discontinuation and that occurred more frequently in levetiracetam extended-release tablets-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients were asthenia, epilepsy, mouth ulceration, rash, and respiratory failure. Each of these adverse reactions led to discontinuation in a levetiracetam extended-release tablets-treated patient and no placebo-treated patients. Immediate-Release Levetiracetam Tablets Table 4 lists the adverse reactions in the controlled studies of immediate-release levetiracetam tablets in adult patients experiencing partial-onset seizures [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. Although the pattern of adverse reactions in the levetiracetam extended-release tablets study seems somewhat different from that seen in partial-onset seizure controlled studies for immediate-release levetiracetam tablets, this is possibly due to the much smaller number of patients in this study compared to the immediate-release tablet studies. The adverse reactions for levetiracetam extended-release tablets are expected to be similar to those seen with immediate-release levetiracetam tablets. Adults In controlled clinical studies of immediate-release levetiracetam tablets as adjunctive therapy to other AEDs in adults with partial-onset seizures, the most common adverse reactions, for events with rates greater than placebo, were somnolence, asthenia, infection, and dizziness. Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of…