Levetiracetam Tablets, 1000-mg

Effective Seizure Control Tablets for Dogs and Cats

Product Description

Levetiracetam Tablets are prescription anticonvulsant medications made to help manage and control seizures in dogs and cats. They work by calming abnormal brain activity, which helps bring down both how often and how severely seizures occur. This medication can be used on its own or alongside other anticonvulsants, giving veterinarians flexible treatment options. Because it is cleared through the urinary system rather than the liver, it tends to be a gentler choice for pets with liver sensitivities.

Benefits

• Seizure Control: Works to bring down both the frequency and intensity of seizures by calming unusual electrical signals in the brain.
• Flexible Use: Works well on its own or in combination with other anticonvulsant medications to give your pet a more tailored seizure management plan.
• Improves Quality: Helps improve your pet's overall quality of life by managing seizures more consistently, allowing them to move through their day with greater ease and comfort.
• Safer Metabolism: Cleared through the urine rather than the liver, making it a more suitable option for pets that do not tolerate liver-metabolized medications well.
• Fast Acting: Starts working within a few hours of administration, helping provide timely relief and seizure management.

Ingredients

Levetiracetam.

How to Use

Dosage & Administration Instructions

• Follow Prescription: This medication requires a valid prescription and should be given strictly as your veterinarian instructs.
• Consistent Timing: Give doses at the same time every day to keep medication levels steady in your pet's system and maintain reliable seizure control.
• Oral Administration: Give tablets by mouth with or without food as prescribed, making sure your pet takes the full dose each time.
• Do Not Crush: Do not crush or allow your pet to chew the tablets unless your veterinarian says it is okay, as this can affect how the medication is released and how it tastes.
• Gradual Adjustment: The dose may begin low and be increased over time depending on how your pet responds, always under your veterinarian's guidance.
• No Sudden Stop: Never stop this medication abruptly, as doing so can trigger or worsen seizures. Any reduction in dose should be done gradually under veterinary supervision.

Disclaimer: This dosage information is provided by the manufacturer. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any supplement for your pet.

Additional Information

Precautions

• Kidney Condition: Use with care in pets that have kidney problems, as the dose may need to be adjusted to keep treatment safe.
• Pregnancy Risk: Only use this medication during pregnancy if your veterinarian has determined that the expected benefits are greater than the possible risks to the developing young.
• Behavior Monitoring: Watch your pet closely during treatment for any shifts in mood or behavior, including signs of aggression, anxiety, or unusual irritability.
• Avoid Abrupt Stop: Tapering the dose slowly instead of stopping all at once helps prevent seizures from coming back or any other complications tied to withdrawal.
• Medication Disclosure: Always inform your veterinarian about all medications and supplements your pet is on before starting treatment to reduce the chance of any unwanted interactions.

Possible Side Effects

• Mild Drowsiness: Drowsiness or mild sedation can show up in some pets, most often during the first few weeks as their system settles into the new medication.
• Coordination Issues: A few pets may have trouble walking steadily or controlling their movements due to temporary coordination problems.
• Behavior Changes: Shifts in mood, including irritability, anxiety, or aggression, may occur and should be watched carefully throughout treatment.
• Appetite Loss: Cats may go off their food temporarily when first starting this medication, though this usually gets better as they adjust.
• Serious Reactions: In rare cases, pets may have an allergic reaction involving swelling, a rash, or breathing difficulty, all of which need immediate veterinary attention.

Storage Information

• Room Temperature: Keep the medication stored at temperatures ranging from 68° to 77°F to preserve its stability and potency.
• Away From Moisture: Store in a dry area away from direct light and humidity to protect the tablets from deteriorating.
• Safe Placement: Keep this medication in a location that is out of reach of both children and pets to prevent any accidental consumption.
• Proper Disposal: Get rid of any unused or expired medication the right way, following the guidance of your pharmacist or local waste disposal authority.

NOTE: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial.

Shipping & Return

We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details.

For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. 

Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Levetiracetam for dogs and cats used for?

Ans: Levetiracetam (Keppra), is a veterinary anticonvulsant medication used to manage epilepsy and seizure disorders in both dogs and cats. The drug works by dampening abnormal neurological activity in the brain. A veterinarian may recommend it as a sole treatment option or incorporate it alongside other seizure-control medications based on the individual needs of the pet.

Q2: How quickly do Levetiracetam tablets start working in pets?

Ans: The onset of levetiracetam's action generally occurs within a few hours of administration. A single dose can sustain its therapeutic effects for up to 24 hours, supporting consistent seizure management when used according to veterinary guidance.

Q3: Can Levetiracetam be used with other seizure medications?

Ans: Veterinarians often prescribe levetiracetam together with other seizure medications, including phenobarbital or bromides. For pets whose epilepsy is not sufficiently managed through a single medication, this multi-drug approach can provide more effective control over seizure activity.

Q4: Is Levetiracetam safe for pets with liver issues?

Ans: For pets with pre-existing liver conditions, levetiracetam poses a lower risk compared to many other anticonvulsant medications, as the body clears it primarily through renal excretion rather than hepatic metabolism. This characteristic makes it a suitable alternative for animals that cannot tolerate medications processed by the liver.

Q5: Can I stop giving Levetiracetam tablets to my pet suddenly?

Ans: Abruptly discontinuing levetiracetam can provoke seizures or intensify their frequency. To safely withdraw the medication, veterinarians generally advise a gradual dose reduction, which minimizes the risk of seizures associated with sudden discontinuation.

Q6: What are the common side effects of Levetiracetam in pets?

Ans: Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and a temporary drop in appetite, particularly in cats. Some pets may also show behavioral shifts like irritability or anxiety, most often during the early phase of treatment.

Clinical Research

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14615473/

https://academic.oup.com/tropej/article/67/2/fmab041/6296315?login=falsev