PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

Levipil Injection is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines. It helps to prevent seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

Levipil Injection is given as an infusion (slow drip) into a vein under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is generally used for short-term control of seizures when treatment with oral medication is not feasible (eg. when the patient is unconscious). You should continue taking it for as long as your doctor has told you to, even if you feel well. If you stop or miss doses your seizures could get worse. Your doctor is likely to prescribe you oral medicines for long-term seizure control, after treatment with this injection has been completed.

Some common side effects of this medicine include dizziness, headache, infection, irritation, nasopharyngitis, sleepiness, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. You may also experience behavioral changes, aggressive behavior, irritation, agitation, etc. Side effects are more common during the first few days and usually lessen as your body gets used to the medicine. Most of these side effects do not need medical attention, but some of them can be serious. Let your doctor know right away if you have developed an allergic reaction (hives, itching, weakness, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, or swelling of face, tongue, and throat), a skin rash, or persistent behavioral changes like confusion, forgetfulness, feeling irritable, increased aggression or hostility. There may be ways of preventing or reducing them. A small number of people being treated with this medicine have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Contact your doctor if your mood changes for the worse.

Before taking it, you should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, depression or suicidal thoughts and if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may increase the risk of seizures and worsen the side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Drowsiness and dizziness may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Your kidney function may need to be tested periodically while taking this medicine.

BENEFITS OF LEVIPIL INJECTION

 

HOW TO USE LEVIPIL INJECTION

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

 

HOW LEVIPIL INJECTION WORKS

Levipil Injection is an antiepileptic medication. It works by attaching to specific sites (SV2A) on the surfaces of nerve cells. This suppresses the abnormal activity of the nerve cells in the brain and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures.

 

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

UNSAFE

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Levipil Injection.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Levipil Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Levipil Injection is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Monitor the baby for sleepiness and adequate weight gain.

Driving

UNSAFE

Levipil Injection may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

Levipil Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Levipil Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Levipil Injection is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Levipil Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.

Interaction with drugs

This medicine may interact with anti-anxiety or antiepileptic medicines (carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), acidity medicine (cimetidine), drugs to treat chronic alcoholism (disulfiram), anti-tuberculosis drug (rifampicin), anti-Parkinson’s drug (levodopa), and asthma drugs (theophylline), uricosurics (probenecid).

 

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE LEVIPIL INJECTION?

If you miss a dose of Levipil Injection, get the injection as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.