LEVETIRACETAM ALTER 250 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Levetiracetam Alter 250 mg Film-Coated Tablets EFG

Levetiracetam Alter 500 mg Film-Coated Tablets EFG

Levetiracetam Alter 1000 mg Film-Coated Tablets EFG

Levetiracetam

Read the entire package leaflet carefully before starting to take this medication because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this package leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medication has been prescribed to you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms of illness as you, as it may harm them.
• If you experience side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are side effects not listed in this package leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the Package Leaflet

1. What is Levetiracetam Alter and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before taking Levetiracetam Alter
3. How to take Levetiracetam Alter
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Levetiracetam Alter
6. Package Contents and Additional Information

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

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic medication (a medication for the treatment of seizures in epilepsy).

Levetiracetam is used:

• alone in adults and adolescents 16 years of age or older with newly diagnosed epilepsy to treat a form of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disease where patients have seizures. Levetiracetam is used for the form of epilepsy in which seizures initially affect only one side of the brain but may later spread to wider areas on both sides of the brain (partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalization). Your doctor has prescribed levetiracetam to reduce the number of seizures.

• in combination with other antiepileptic medications to treat:

• partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalization 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 generalized tonic-clonic seizures (major seizures, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (a type of epilepsy thought to have a genetic cause).

2. What you need to know before taking Levetiracetam Alter

Do not take Levetiracetam Alter

• If you are allergic to levetiracetam, pyrrolidone derivatives, or any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6).

Warnings and Precautions

Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take this medication.

• If you have kidney problems, follow your doctor's instructions, who will decide if you need to adjust the dose to take.
• If you notice any decrease in your child's growth or unexpected development of puberty, contact your doctor.
• A small number of people taking antiepileptics such as levetiracetam have had thoughts of harming themselves or suicide. If you have any symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts, contact your doctor.
• If you have a medical history or family history of irregular heart rhythm (visible on an electrocardiogram), or if you have a disease and/or take a treatment that makes you prone to cardiac arrhythmias or electrolyte imbalances.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects worsen or last more than a few days:

• Abnormal thoughts, feeling irritable or reacting more aggressively than usual, or if you or your family and friends notice significant changes in mood or behavior.
• Worsening of epilepsy

Rarely, epileptic seizures may worsen or occur more frequently, mainly during the first month after starting treatment or increasing the dose. In a very rare form of early-onset epilepsy (epilepsy associated with SCN8A mutations) that causes multiple types of epileptic seizures and loss of skills, you may notice that seizures continue or worsen during treatment.

If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking levetiracetam, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Children and Adolescents

Monotherapy with levetiracetam is not indicated in children and adolescents under 16 years of age.

Taking Levetiracetam Alter with Other Medications

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may need to take any other medication.

Do not take macrogol (a medication used as a laxative) within one hour before and one hour after taking levetiracetam, as it may lose its effect.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication. Levetiracetam should only be used during pregnancy if, after careful evaluation, your doctor considers it necessary.

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

The risk of birth defects for the baby cannot be completely ruled out.

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.

Driving and Using Machines

Levetiracetam may affect your ability to drive or operate tools or machinery, as it may cause drowsiness. This is more likely at the start of treatment or when the dose is increased. You should not drive or use machinery until it is verified that your ability to perform these activities is not affected.

Levetiracetam Alter Contains Sodium

This medication contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; it is essentially "sodium-free."

3. How to Take Levetiracetam Alter

Follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions for taking this medication exactly. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Take the number of tablets your doctor has prescribed.

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

Concomitant Therapyand Monotherapy(from 16 years of age)

• Adults (≥18 years) and adolescents (12 to 17 years) with a weight of 50 kg or more:

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

When you start taking levetiracetam, your doctor will prescribe a lower dosefor 2 weeks before administering the lowest daily dose.

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

• Adolescents (12 to 17 years) with a weight of 50 kg or less:

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

• Dose in Infants (1 month to 23 months) and Children (2 to 11 years) with a weight below 50 kg:

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

Levetiracetam 100 mg/ml oral solution is a more suitable formulation for infants and children under 6 years of age and for children and adolescents (6 to 17 years) with a weight below 50 kg and when tablets do not allow for precise dosing.

Method of Administration:

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

Duration of Treatment:

• Levetiracetam is used as a chronic treatment. You should continue treatment with levetiracetam for the time indicated by your doctor.
• Do not stop your treatment without your doctor's recommendation, as your seizures may increase.

If You Take More Levetiracetam Alter Than You Should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medication and the amount ingested.

Possible side effects of a levetiracetam overdose are drowsiness, agitation, aggression, decreased alertness, respiratory inhibition, and coma.

Contact your doctor if you have taken more tablets than you should. Your doctor will establish the best possible treatment for the overdose.

If You Forget to Take Levetiracetam Alter

Contact your doctor if you have missed one or more doses.

Do not take a double dose to make up for missed doses.

If You Stop Taking Levetiracetam Alter

Stopping treatment with levetiracetam should be done gradually to avoid an increase in seizures. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment with levetiracetam, he/she will give you instructions for the gradual withdrawal of levetiracetam.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this medication can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

Inform your doctor immediately, or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital if you experience:

• weakness, dizziness, or difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction).
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (Quincke's edema)
• flu-like symptoms and rash on the face followed by a prolonged rash with elevated temperature, elevated liver enzymes in blood tests, and an increase in a type of white blood cells (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS))
• symptoms such as low urine output, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and swelling of legs, ankles, or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease in kidney function
• a skin rash that can lead to blisters and may appear as small targets (dark central spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)
• a widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
• a more severe form that causes skin peeling on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• signs of severe mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, drowsiness (drowsiness), amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal behavior, or other neurological signs, including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These may be symptoms of encephalopathy.

The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis, drowsiness (feeling of sleep), headache, fatigue, and dizziness. Side effects such as drowsiness, weakness, and dizziness may be more frequent when starting treatment or increasing the dose. However, these side effects should decrease over time.

Very Common: may affect more than 1 in 10 people

• nasopharyngitis;
• drowsiness (feeling of sleep), 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 (feeling of instability), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary tremor);
• vertigo (feeling of rotation);
• cough;
• abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia (heavy digestion, heartburn, and acidity), vomiting, nausea;
• skin rash;
• asthenia/fatigue (feeling of weakness).

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• decreased platelet count, decreased white blood cell count;
• weight loss, weight gain;
• suicidal thoughts and attempts, mental disorders, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood changes, agitation;
• amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination/ataxia (altered movement coordination), paresthesia (tingling), attention disorders (loss of concentration);
• diplopia (double vision), blurred vision;
• elevated/abnormal liver function tests;
• hair loss, eczema, itching;
• muscle weakness, myalgia (muscle pain);
• injury.

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

• infection;
• decrease in all types of blood cells;
• severe allergic reactions (DRESS, anaphylactic reaction, Quincke's edema);
• decrease in sodium concentration in blood;
• suicide, personality disorders (behavioral problems), abnormal thinking (slow thinking, difficulty concentrating);
• delirium;
• encephalopathy (see subsection "Inform your doctor immediately" for a detailed description of symptoms);
• epileptic seizures may worsen or occur more frequently;
• involuntary muscle spasms affecting the head, torso, and limbs, difficulty 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 can lead to blisters and may appear as small targets (dark central spots surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) and a more severe form that causes skin peeling on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis);
• rhabdomyolysis (muscle tissue breakdown) and increased creatine phosphokinase in blood. 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, confusion, low level of consciousness (may be signs of a disorder called malignant neuroleptic syndrome). The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients.

Very Rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• unwanted and repetitive thoughts or feelings or the urge to do something over and over again (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

Reporting Side Effects

If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are possible side effects not listed in this package leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medications: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medication.

5. Storage of Levetiracetam Alter

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

This medication does not require special storage conditions.

Do not use this medication after the expiration date stated on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medications should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE point in your pharmacy. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Packaging Content and Additional Information

Composition of Levetiracetam Alter

• The active ingredient is levetiracetam. Each tablet contains 250 mg; 500 mg; 1000 mg of levetiracetam. The exact amount is shown on the medication packaging.
• The other components are:

Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose, sodium croscarmellose, anhydrous colloidal silica, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate.

Film coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), glycerol triacetate, and purified water.

Appearance of the Product and Packaging Content

Levetiracetam Alter 250 mg are white, round, biconcave, and scored tablets.

The packaging contains 60 tablets.

Levetiracetam Alter 500 mg are white, oblong, and scored tablets.

The packaging contains 60 tablets.

Levetiracetam Alter 1000 mg are white, oblong, and scored tablets.

The packaging contains 30 or 60 tablets.

Each tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Only some packaging sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

C/ Mateo Inurria, 30

28036 Madrid

Spain

or

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

C/ Zeus, 6

Polígono Industrial R2

28880 Meco (Madrid)

Spain

Date of the Last Revision of this Leaflet: July 2023

Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/