Product title
Vendor
$19.99 | $24.99
Product title
Vendor
$19.99 | $24.99
Product title
Vendor
$19.99 | $24.99
Product title
Vendor
$19.99 | $24.99
Anticonvulsant Tablets for Epilepsy and Seizures in Pets
Product Description
Levetiracetam 500mg Tablets are a prescription anticonvulsant used by veterinarians to control seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats. It calms irregular electrical signals in the brain and can be given on its own or paired with other seizure medications. Since the kidneys handle its breakdown rather than the liver, it is often the go-to choice for pets with liver disease or liver-related seizure conditions.
Benefits
- Broad Seizure Control: Manages a variety of seizure disorders in dogs and cats, whether given alone or alongside other anticonvulsant medications.
- Liver-Friendly Option: Broken down through the kidneys instead of the liver, making it a better fit for pets with existing liver disease.
- Refractory Epilepsy Support: Helpful for pets whose seizures have not responded well enough to phenobarbital or potassium bromide on their own.
- Reduces Phenobarbital Dependence: When paired with phenobarbital, it can allow for lower doses, helping cut down on phenobarbital-related side effects.
- Hepatic Encephalopathy Use: Prescribed to help manage seizures tied to hepatic encephalopathy or phenobarbital-induced liver damage in pets.
Ingredients
Active Ingredients
Levetiracetam
How to Use
Levetiracetam 500mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product.
Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet.
Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet.
Tucking this tablet into a soft pill pocket or pill wrap treat can make giving the medication a lot less stressful for both you and your pet. Before crushing or splitting any levetiracetam tablet, check with your veterinarian first, as certain formulations need to be swallowed whole.
Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs | Shop Pill Pockets for Cats
Additional Information
Precautions
- Never Stop Abruptly: Stopping this medication without a gradual taper can bring on severe withdrawal seizures, so always work with your veterinarian.
- Caution in Kidney Disease: Pets with reduced kidney function may need dose adjustments, as this medication is cleared through the kidneys.
- Avoid in Pregnancy: This medication has been linked to embryonal and fetal losses in animals, so risks must be fully discussed with a veterinarian.
- Known Allergy Caution: Do not use in pets with a known sensitivity or allergy to levetiracetam or related anticonvulsant medications.
- Drug Interaction Risk: Share a full list of your pet's current medications, including NSAIDs, phenobarbital, and methotrexate, with your veterinarian before starting.
- Tolerance May Develop: In dogs, extended use can lead to reduced effectiveness over time, which may call for dose or treatment adjustments.
- Regular Monitoring Advised: Blood work every 6 to 12 months is a good way to keep tabs on your pet's overall health during long-term treatment.
Possible Side Effects
- Drowsiness in Dogs: Sedation and tiredness are among the more frequently seen reactions in dogs starting on levetiracetam tablets.
- Appetite Loss in Cats: Some cats go through a short-term drop in appetite and energy when they first begin this medication.
- Digestive Upset: Vomiting and diarrhea may occur in some pets, and giving the medication with food can help ease stomach discomfort.
- Behavioral Changes: Some dogs may show anxiety, aggression, or low mood during treatment, which should be reported to a veterinarian promptly.
- Serious Reactions: Any sudden and severe shift in behavior needs immediate veterinary attention and a possible review of the current treatment plan.
Storage Information
- Room Temperature: Tablets do best at room temperature inside a tightly closed container, kept away from heat and humidity.
- Protect From Sunlight: Direct sunlight can weaken the tablet over time, so a shaded, dry storage spot works best.
- Out of Reach: Keep this medication somewhere children and untreated animals in the home cannot get to it.
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 500mg used for in dogs and cats?
Ans: Levetiracetam 500mg is used to manage seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats. It can be given alone or paired with medications like phenobarbital, and works well for pets whose seizures have not been adequately controlled by standard anticonvulsant treatments.
Q2: Is levetiracetam safe for pets with liver disease?
Ans: Yes, levetiracetam is a good option for pets with liver conditions since the kidneys handle its breakdown rather than the liver. This makes it a safer fit for pets with conditions like hepatic encephalopathy or portosystemic shunt, where liver-processed drugs carry higher risks.
Q3: Can levetiracetam 500mg tablets be crushed or split for smaller pets?
Ans: Immediate-release levetiracetam tablets can generally be crushed and mixed with food, making them workable for smaller pets. Extended-release tablets must never be crushed or split. Always confirm with your veterinarian which formulation your pet has been prescribed before making any changes.
Q4: Can levetiracetam be stopped suddenly in dogs and cats?
Ans: No, cutting this medication off without a taper can bring on withdrawal seizures that may be harder to get under control. Your veterinarian will put together a gradual reduction plan to bring the dose down safely when discontinuation becomes necessary for your pet.
Q5: What are the most common side effects of levetiracetam in pets?
Ans: In dogs, drowsiness and sedation are the most typical reactions, while cats more often deal with a drop in appetite and lower energy. Anxiety or aggression in dogs are also worth watching for, and any of these changes should be brought up with your veterinarian.