Levetiracetam, sold under the brand name Keppra among others, is a novel antiepileptic drug[7] (medication) used to treat epilepsy.

[8] "Levetiracetam was discovered in 1992 through screening in audiogenic seizure susceptible mice and, 3 years later, was reported to exhibit saturable, stereospecific binding in brain to a approximately 90 kDa protein, later identified as the ubiquitous synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A.

"[10] Common side effects of levetiracetam include sleepiness, dizziness, feeling tired, and aggression.

[8] Severe side effects may include psychosis, suicide, and allergic reactions such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome or anaphylaxis.

[22][23] Based on low-quality evidence, levetiracetam is about as effective as phenytoin for prevention of early seizures after traumatic brain injury.

[31] Studies in female pregnant rats have shown minor fetal skeletal abnormalities when given maximum recommended human doses of levetiracetam orally throughout pregnancy and lactation.

[medical citation needed] Studies were conducted to look for increased adverse effects in the elderly population as compared to younger patients.

One such study published in Epilepsy Research showed no significant increase in incidence of adverse symptoms experienced by young or elderly patients with disorders of the central nervous system.

[32] Although rare, Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which appears as a painful spreading rash with redness and blistering and/or peeling skin, have been reported in patients treated with levetiracetam.

Such hypersensitivity reactions include, but are not limited to, unexplained rash with redness or blistered skin, difficulty breathing, and tightness in the chest or airways.

[4] In a study, the incidence of decreased bone mineral density of patients on levetiracetam was significantly higher than for those on different epileptic medications.

Patients taking levetiracetam should be monitored closely for signs of worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or tendencies, or any altered emotional or behavioral states.

[36] The pharmacokinetic profile of levetiracetam is not influenced by phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, valproic acid, lamotrigine, gabapentin, digoxin, ethinylestradiol, or warfarin.

[38] However, the drug binds to SV2A,[39] a synaptic vesicle glycoprotein, and inhibits presynaptic calcium channels,[40] reducing neurotransmitter release and acting as a neuromodulator.

[51] Levetiracetam has been studied in the past for treating symptoms of neurobiological conditions such as Tourette syndrome,[52] and anxiety disorder.

Because available research included only 2 published studies reporting seizure freedom rates, however, the strength of the evidence was judged to be low.