LEVETIRACETAM STADAFARMA 1000 mg FILM-COATED TABLETS

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient

Levetiracetam Stadafarma 1,000 mg film-coated tablets EFG

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, as 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 experience 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

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

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

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

This medicine is used:

• on its own (without the need for another antiepileptic medicine) in adults and adolescents from 16 years of age with newly diagnosed epilepsy, to treat a type of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition where patients have seizures. Levetiracetam is used for a type of epilepsy where the seizures initially affect only one side of the brain but may then spread to wider areas on both sides of the brain (partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation). Your doctor has prescribed levetiracetam to reduce the number of seizures.

• in combination 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 a group of muscles) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
• • primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (major seizures, including loss of consciousness) in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with idiopathic generalised epilepsy (a type of epilepsy that is believed to have a genetic cause).

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

Do not take Levetiracetam Stadafarma

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

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before starting to take levetiracetam.

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

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects get worse 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 behaviour.
• Worsening of epilepsy

Rarely, epileptic seizures may worsen or occur more frequently, mainly during the first month after starting treatment or increasing the dose. If you experience any of these new symptoms while taking levetiracetam, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Children and adolescents

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

Other medicines and Levetiracetam Stadafarma

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 as a laxative) for 1 hour before and 1 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 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, after careful evaluation, your doctor considers it necessary.

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

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

Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.

Driving and using machines

Levetiracetam may affect your ability to drive or use tools or machinery, as this medicine can 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 established that your ability to perform these activities is not affected.

3. How to take Levetiracetam Stadafarma

Follow exactly the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Levetiracetam is not available in all the pharmaceutical forms described. For the recommended dosages that cannot be achieved with this medicine, other medicines containing levetiracetam should be used.

Take the number of tablets that your doctor has prescribed for you.

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

Concomitant therapy and monotherapy (from 16 years of age)

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

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

When starting levetiracetam, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose for 2 weeks before administering the lowest general dose.

For example: for a daily dose of 1,000 mg, the 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 (from 12 to 17 years) weighing 50 kg or less:

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

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

Your doctor will prescribe the most suitable 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 (from 6 to 17 years) weighing less than 50 kg and when tablets do not allow for precise dosing.

Method of administration

This medicine is for oral use.

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 Stadafarma than you should

Possible side effects of an overdose of levetiracetam are drowsiness, agitation, aggression, decreased alertness, inhibition of breathing, 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.

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Toxicology Information Service immediately. Telephone 91-562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount taken. It is recommended to take the medicine packaging and leaflet to the healthcare professional.

If you forget to take Levetiracetam Stadafarma

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

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

If you stop taking Levetiracetam Stadafarma

As with other antiepileptic medicines, 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 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.

Tell your doctor immediately, or go to the casualty 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 oedema)
• flu-like symptoms and rash on the face followed by a prolonged rash with high 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 the legs, arms, or feet, as this may be a sign of sudden decrease in kidney function
• a skin rash that may form blisters and may appear as small targets (dark spots in the centre surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)
• a widespread rash with blisters and peeling of the skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
• a more severe form causing peeling of the skin on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis)
• signs of serious mental changes or if someone around you notices signs of confusion, drowsiness (drowsiness), amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal behaviour, or other neurological signs, including involuntary or uncontrolled movements. These may be symptoms of encephalopathy.

The most frequently reported side effects are nasopharyngitis, somnolence (feeling drowsy), 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;
• somnolence (feeling drowsy), 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 unsteady), lethargy (lack of energy and enthusiasm), tremor (involuntary tremor);
• vertigo (feeling of spinning);
• cough;
• abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia (indigestion), vomiting, nausea;
• skin rash;
• asthenia/fatigue (feeling weak).

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• decrease in platelet count, decrease in white blood cell count;
• weight loss, weight gain;
• suicidal attempt and suicidal thoughts, mental disorders, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations, anger, confusion, panic attack, emotional instability/mood changes, agitation;
• amnesia (memory loss), memory impairment (forgetfulness), abnormal coordination/ataxia (altered movement coordination), paraesthesia (tingling), attention disorders (loss of concentration);
• diplopia (double vision), blurred vision;
• elevated/liver enzyme abnormalities in 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 (severe allergic reaction), Quincke's oedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat);
• decrease in sodium levels in the blood;
• suicide, personality disorders (behavioural problems), abnormal thinking (slow thinking, difficulty concentrating);
• delirium
• encephalopathy (see subsection "Tell your doctor immediately" for a detailed description of symptoms);
• epileptic seizures may worsen or occur more frequently;
• uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the head, torso, and limbs, difficulty controlling movements, hyperkinesia (hyperactivity);
• change in heart rhythm (electrocardiogram);
• pancreatitis;
• liver failure, hepatitis;
• sudden decrease in kidney function;
• skin rash that may form blisters and may appear as small targets (dark spots in the centre surrounded by a paler area, with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme), a widespread rash with blisters and peeling of the skin, especially around the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), and a more severe form causing peeling of the skin on more than 30% of the body surface (toxic epidermal necrolysis).
• rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue) and increased creatine phosphokinase in the blood. The prevalence is significantly higher in Japanese patients compared to non-Japanese patients.
• limping or difficulty walking.

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 through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storing Levetiracetam Stadafarma

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 and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month shown.

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. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of Levetiracetam Stadafarma

The active substance is levetiracetam.

Each film-coated tablet contains 1,000 mg of levetiracetam.

The other ingredients are:

Core of the tablet:

Crospovidone (Type B), povidone K30, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate.

Film coating:

Hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E171), talc.

Appearance of the product and pack contents

Levetiracetam Stadafarma 1,000 mg film-coated tablets EFG are white, oval, and scored on one side, with dimensions of approximately 19.2 mm x 10.2 mm. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Levetiracetam Stadafarma 1,000 mg film-coated tablets EFG are available in packs containing 10, 20, 30, 50, 60, 100, or 200 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer

Marketing authorisation holder

Laboratorio Stada, S.L.

Frederic Mompou, 5

08960 Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona)

Spain

[email protected]

Manufacturer

Rontis Hellas Medical and Pharmaceutical Products S.A.

P.O. Box 3012 Larisa Industrial Area,

Larisa, 41004,

Greece

or

PharOS MT Ltd

HF 62X, Hal-Far Industrial Estate,

Birzebbugia BBG 3000

Malta

or

STADA Arzneimittel AG

Stadastrasse 2 – 18, 61118 Bad Vilbel

Germany

or

Centrafarm Services B.V.

Van de Reijtstraat 31-E

4814 NE Breda

Netherlands

or

STADA Arzneimittel GmbH

Muthgasse 36/2, 1190 Wien

Austria

or

Clonmel Healthcare Ltd.

Waterford Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Ireland

Date of last revision of this leaflet:October 2021

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