API

Mechanism of Action

The precise mechanism(s) by which levetiracetam exerts its antiepileptic effect is unknown. The antiepileptic activity of levetiracetam was assessed in a number of animal models of epileptic seizures. Levetiracetam did not inhibit single seizures induced by maximal stimulation with electrical current or different chemoconvulsants and showed only minimal activity in submaximal stimulation and in threshold tests. Protection was observed, however, against secondarily generalized activity from focal seizures induced by pilocarpine and kainic acid, two chemoconvulsants that induce seizures that mimic some features of human complex partial seizures with secondary generalization. Levetiracetam also displayed inhibitory properties in the kindling model in rats, another model of human complex partial seizures, both during kindling development and in the fully kindled state. The predictive value of these animal models for specific types of human epilepsy is uncertain.

Indication

SPRITAM is indicated for adjunctive therapy in the treatment of: 

• Partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy 4 years of age and older weighing more than 20 kg
• Myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy