Epivira 500 Tablet
Prescription Required
Product introduction
Epivira 500 Tablet 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.
Epivira 500 Tablet suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You can take it with or without food but try to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will advise the right dose for you. It is generally advised as a long-term treatment. 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.
Some common side effects of this medicine include headache, irritation, sleepiness, behavior changes, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. Side effects are more common during the first few weeks 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. 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, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function while taking this medicine.
Epivira 500 Tablet suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You can take it with or without food but try to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will advise the right dose for you. It is generally advised as a long-term treatment. 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.
Some common side effects of this medicine include headache, irritation, sleepiness, behavior changes, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. Side effects are more common during the first few weeks 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. 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, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function while taking this medicine.
Uses of Epivira Tablet
Benefits of Epivira Tablet
In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Epivira 500 Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants (or anti-epileptics). It works by slowing down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures (fits). This medicine can be used to control various types of seizures—myoclonic, partial-onset, and primary generalized tonic-clonic (or grand mal). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this time you may still have seizures. You should continue taking it even if you feel well and are not having any seizures. Missing doses may trigger a seizure. Do not stop using this medicine until your doctor advises you.
Side effects of Epivira Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Epivira
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Behavioral changes
- Aggressive behavior
- Irritation
- Agitation
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- Infection
- Convulsion
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Vertigo
- Lethargy
How to use Epivira Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Epivira 500 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Epivira Tablet works
Epivira 500 Tablet 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 Epivira 500 Tablet.
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epivira 500 Tablet is safe to use during pregnancy. Most studies have shown low or no risk to the developing baby.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epivira 500 Tablet 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.
Monitor the baby for sleepiness and adequate weight gain.
Driving
UNSAFE
Epivira 500 Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
CAUTION
Epivira 500 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Epivira 500 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epivira 500 Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Epivira 500 Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.
However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.
What if you forget to take Epivira Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Epivira 500 Tablet, take it 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.
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For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
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Quick tips
- Epivira 500 Tablet should be taken regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
- Make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
- Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:
- Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
- Practice yoga every day.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
- It may cause sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.
- Do not stop using Epivira 500 Tablet without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Pyrrolidinone & Acetamide Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
NEURO CNS
Action Class
Synaptic vescicle 2 A protein ligand (AED)
Patient concerns
FAQs
Q. Can the use of Epivira 500 Tablet cause sleepiness?
Yes, Epivira 500 Tablet can make you feel sleepy. Therefore, during the initial phase of treatment, avoid driving, operating machinery, working at heights, or participating in potentially dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.
Q. Will the use of Epivira 500 Tablet affect my fertility?
Epivira 500 Tablet is not known to affect fertility in males or females. However, talk to your doctor if you are facing fertility issues during the treatment with this medicine.
Q. I have gained weight since I started taking Epivira 500 Tablet. Is it because of Epivira 500 Tablet? What should I do?
Weight gain is an uncommon side effect of Epivira 500 Tablet. However, the response may vary from person to person. To prevent weight gain you should take a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking, cut down on high-calorie food items, include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, and exercise regularly. If you still have issues with your weight, consult your doctor.
Q. How long does Epivira 500 Tablet take to show its effect?
Epivira 500 Tablet may take a few weeks to start working properly since the dose is increased slowly. Your seizures may continue until Epivira 500 Tablet starts working completely.
Q. For how long do I need to take Epivira 500 Tablet?
You should continue to take Epivira 500 Tablet for as long as your doctor advises you to. Do not stop taking it suddenly because this may increase the frequency of seizures which may be difficult to control.
Q. Will I get addicted to Epivira 500 Tablet if I use it for a long time?
No, Epivira 500 Tablet is not habit-forming. No physical or psychological dependence has been reported with Epivira 500 Tablet. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects.
Q. What symptoms can occur if someone takes an excess of Epivira 500 Tablet?
Taking an excess of Epivira 500 Tablet may cause sleepiness, agitation, aggression, a decrease of alertness, inhibition of breathing, and even a state of coma. In case of an overdose, immediate medical care should be provided to the patient in a nearby hospital.
Q. How do I come off Epivira 500 Tablet?
The dose of Epivira 500 Tablet should be slowly reduced. You may have to take this medicine for a few months before you can stop it completely. Do not reduce the dose without asking your doctor. Inform your doctor if you get a serious side effect, such as a severe skin reaction. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking Epivira 500 Tablet straight away, even if you have epilepsy.
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Disclaimer:
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.References
- Stahl SM, editor. Levetiracetam. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 333-36.
- McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 600.
- Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 411.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 789.
- Levetiracetam [FDA Label]. Smyrna, Georgia: UCB, Inc.; 1999 [revised Apr. 2017]. [Accessed 16 Jul. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006. Levetiracetam. [Updated 2022 Nov 30]. [Accessed 08 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:
- Levetiracetam [Package Insert]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2021. [Accessed 08 Jul. 2023]. (online) Available from:
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Name: Xender Biopharma & Research Llp.
Address: Shop No. S/8, Silver Point, OPP. Vidhyabharti School, Bhatar Char Rasta, Surat. Tal: Surat City (Surat) - 395001
Country of origin: India
The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.
The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.
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