LEVETIRACETAM ACTAVIS 500 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Levetiracetam Actavis 250 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Levetiracetam Actavis 500 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Levetiracetam Actavis 750 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Levetiracetam Actavis 1,000 mg film-coated tablets EFG

levetiracetam

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you or your child start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Levetiracetam Actavis and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Levetiracetam Actavis
3. How to take Levetiracetam Actavis
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Levetiracetam Actavis
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Levetiracetam Actavis and what is it used for

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medicine (a medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy).

Levetiracetam Actavis is used:

• on its own in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy to treat a certain form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where you have repeated seizures (fits). Levetiracetam is used to treat a form of epilepsy where the seizures initially affect only one side of the brain but may subsequently spread to other parts of the brain (partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation). Your doctor has prescribed levetiracetam for you to reduce the number of seizures.
• with other antiepileptic medicines to treat:

• partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation in adults, adolescents, children and infants from 1 month of age;
• myoclonic seizures (short, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy;
• primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major fits, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (a type of epilepsy that is thought to have a genetic cause).

2. What you need to know before you take Levetiracetam Actavis

Do not take Levetiracetam Actavis:

• if you are allergic to levetiracetam, to any other pyrrolidine derivatives or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Warnings and precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking Levetiracetam Actavis.

• If you have kidney problems, follow your doctor’s instructions. He/she will decide if you need to adjust the dose.
• If you notice any decrease in your child’s growth rate or an unexpected pubertal delay, contact your doctor.
• A small number of people taking antiepileptics such as Levetiracetam Actavis have had thoughts of harming themselves or suicide. If you have any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal ideation, contact your doctor.
• If you have a history of cardiac conduction problems, or if you are taking other medicines that may affect the heart, or if you have a condition which may affect the heart, your doctor will need to monitor your heart function.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get serious or last longer than a few days:

• abnormal thoughts, feeling irritable or more aggressive than usual or if you or your family and friends notice changes in your mood or behaviour.
• worsening of seizures

Rarely, antiepileptic drugs may worsen the seizures or cause new seizure types. If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking Levetiracetam Actavis, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Children and adolescents

Monotherapy (use of Levetiracetam Actavis on its own) is not indicated for children and adolescents below 16 years.

Taking Levetiracetam Actavis with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Do not take macrogol (a medicine used to treat constipation) for one hour before and one hour after taking levetiracetam as it may reduce the absorption of levetiracetam.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Levetiracetam should only be used during pregnancy if necessary.

Do not stop your treatment without discussing it with your doctor.

It is not known whether the possible risk of birth defects in the baby is higher than for other antiepileptic medicines.

It is recommended to use effective contraception during treatment.

Driving and using machines

Levetiracetam Actavis may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery, as it may cause somnolence (drowsiness). This is more likely at the beginning of treatment or when the dose is increased. You should not drive or use machines until it is established that your ability to perform such activities is not affected.

Levetiracetam Actavis 750 mg tablets contain sunset yellow FCF (E110)

Levetiracetam Actavis contains sunset yellow FCF (E110) which may cause allergic reactions.

3. How to take Levetiracetam Actavis

Always take Levetiracetam Actavis exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Take the number of tablets as instructed by your doctor.

Levetiracetam Actavis should be taken twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, at approximately the same time each day.

Concomitant therapy and monotherapy (from 16 years of age)

• Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) weighing 50 kg or more:

Recommended dose: between 1,000 mg and 3,000 mg each day.

When you first start taking Levetiracetam Actavis, your doctor will prescribe you a lower doseduring 2 weeks before giving you the lowest daily dose.

For example: for a daily dose of 1,000 mg, your initial reduced dose is 250 mg in the morning and 250 mg in the evening, and your dose will be gradually increased to 1,000 mg per day after 2 weeks of treatment.

• Adolescents (12-17 years) weighing less than 50 kg:

Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of Levetiracetam Actavis according to your weight and dose.

Dose in infants (1 month to 23 months) and children (2-11 years) weighing less than 50 kg:

Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate pharmaceutical form of levetiracetam according to the age, weight and dose.

The oral solution is the preferred formulation for infants and children under 6 years and for children and adolescents (6-17 years) weighing less than 50 kg and when tablets do not allow accurate dosing.

Method of administration

Swallow Levetiracetam Actavis tablets with a sufficient amount of liquid (e.g. a glass of water). You may take Levetiracetam Actavis with or without food. After oral administration, the bitter taste of levetiracetam may be experienced.

Duration of treatment

• Levetiracetam Actavis is a long-term treatment. You should continue to take Levetiracetam Actavis for as long as your doctor has told you.
• Do not stop your treatment without your doctor’s advice as this may increase your seizures.

If you take more Levetiracetam Actavis than you should

Adverse effects after an intake of an excessive dose of levetiracetam are drowsiness, agitation, aggression, decrease in alertness, inhibition of respiratory function and coma.

Contact your doctor if you have taken more tablets than you should. Your doctor will decide on the best course of action.

If you forget to take Levetiracetam Actavis

Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Levetiracetam Actavis

Levetiracetam Actavis must be discontinued gradually. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment with Levetiracetam Actavis, he/she will tell you how to gradually reduce the dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• weakness, dizziness or difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis);
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (Quincke’s oedema);
• symptoms of flu and rash on the face followed by a prolonged rash with high fever, elevated liver enzymes in blood tests and an increased number of a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS));
• symptoms such as low urine output, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and swelling of the feet, ankles, face, hands or eyes, as these may be signs of acute kidney injury;
• a rash that may form blisters and may look like targets (central red spot surrounded by a paler area, with a red ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme);
• a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome);
• a more severe form causing skin peeling over more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
• signs of severe mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, somnolence (drowsiness), amnesia (loss of memory), memory impairment (memory loss), abnormal behaviour or other neurological signs including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These may be symptoms of encephalopathy.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are nasopharyngitis, somnolence (drowsiness), headache, fatigue and dizziness. Adverse reactions such as somnolence, fatigue and dizziness may be more frequent at the beginning of treatment or when the dose is increased. However, these effects should decrease over time.

Very common:may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• nasopharyngitis;
• somnolence (drowsiness), headache.

Common:may affect up to 1 in 10 people

• anorexia (loss of appetite);
• depression, hostility or aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability;
• seizures, balance disorder, dizziness (unsteadiness), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary shaking);
• vertigo (feeling of spinning);
• cough;
• abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia (indigestion, heartburn and acid regurgitation), vomiting, nausea;
• skin rash;
• asthenia/fatigue (lack of strength and energy).

Uncommon:may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• decreased number of platelets, decreased number of white blood cells;
• weight decrease, weight increase;
• suicidal ideation and attempt, mental disorders, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood swings, agitation;
• amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (memory loss), abnormal coordination/ataxia (impaired coordination), paraesthesia (tingling), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (inability to concentrate);
• diplopia (double vision), blurred vision;
• abnormal liver function tests;
• hair loss, eczema, pruritus (itching);
• muscle weakness, myalgia (muscle pain);
• injury.

Rare:may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• infection;
• decrease in all blood cell types;
• severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction (severe, important and life-threatening allergic reaction), Quincke’s oedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat));
• decrease in sodium levels in the blood;
• suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), abnormal thinking (slow thinking, difficulty in concentrating);
• delirium;
• encephalopathy (see section “Seek immediate medical attention” for a detailed description of the symptoms);
• seizures may worsen or become more frequent;
• uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the head, torso and limbs, difficulty in controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity);
• change in heart rhythm (electrocardiogram);
• pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
• liver failure, hepatitis (inflammation of the liver);
• sudden decrease in kidney function;
• skin rash which may form blisters and may look like targets (central red spot surrounded by a paler area, with a red ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and a more severe form causing skin peeling over more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and increased creatine phosphokinase in blood associated. The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients;
• limping or difficulty walking;
• a combination of fever, muscle stiffness, unstable blood pressure and heart rate and confusion, decreased consciousness (these may be signs of a condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome). The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients.

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of Levetiracetam Actavis

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, label or blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Levetiracetam Actavis

The active substance is called levetiracetam.

A Levetiracetam Actavis 250 mg tablet contains 250 mg of levetiracetam.

A Levetiracetam Actavis 500 mg tablet contains 500 mg of levetiracetam.

A Levetiracetam Actavis 750 mg tablet contains 750 mg of levetiracetam.

A Levetiracetam Actavis 1,000 mg tablet contains 1,000 mg of levetiracetam.

The other ingredients are:

Crospovidone, povidone, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, macrogol 4000, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), colorants*.

• The colorants are:

250 mg tablet: Carmine indigo (E132).

500 mg tablet: Yellow iron oxide (E172), carmine indigo (E132).

750 mg tablet: Carmine indigo (E132), orange yellow S (E110), red iron oxide (E172).

Appearance and Packaging of the Product

The film-coated Levetiracetam Actavis 250 mg tablets are oval, light blue, 13.6 x 6.4 mm, with an "L" engraved on one side and "250" on the other.

The Levetiracetam Actavis 500 mg tablets are oval, yellow, 17.1 x 8.1 mm, with an "L" engraved on one side and "500" on the other.

The Levetiracetam Actavis 750 mg tablets are oval, orange, 19.0 x 9.3 mm, with an "L" engraved on one side and "750" on the other.

The Levetiracetam Actavis 1,000 mg tablets are oval, white, 19.0 x 10.0 mm, with an "L" engraved on one side and "1,000" on the other.

Package Sizes

Blister: 20, 30, 50, 60, 100, 120, and 200 film-coated tablets.

Unit dose precut blister: 60 x 1 film-coated tablets (only available for 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1,000 mg tablets).

Tablet containers: 30, 100, and 200 film-coated tablets.

Only some package sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Actavis Group PTC ehf.

Reykjavikurvegi 76-78, 220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

Manufacturers

Specifar S.A.

1, 28 Octovriou str., 123 51 Ag. Varvara, Athens

Greece

Teva Operations Poland Sp. z o.o.

ul. Mogilska 80, 31-546 Krakow, Poland

Tjoapack Netherlands B.V.

Nieuwe Donk 9, ETTEN-LEUR, 4879AC, Netherlands

Actavis Group PTC ehf.

Reykjavikurvegur 76-78, 220 Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

For more information on this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:

Date of the Last Revision of this Leaflet:{MM/YYYY}.

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the European Medicines Agency website http://www.ema.europa.eu.