INDICATIONS

  • Loading dosage in status epilepticus (unlicensed indication)
  • Status epilepticus where phenytoin is inappropriate due to:
    • contraindications (2nd and 3rd degree heart block; sino-atrial block; sinus bradycardia; Stokes-Adams syndrome)
    • stroke history
    • interacting medications – especially DOACs (apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran)

NOTES

  • Loading dose of levetiracetam does not require adjustment in patients with impaired renal function. Use doses indicated in Table irrespective of eGFR

PREPARATIONS

  • Levetiracetam injection 100 mg/mL in 5 mL (500 mg) ampoules

DILUENTS

  • Sodium chloride 0.9%, glucose 5%, Hartmann’s

DOSAGE

  • Levetiracetam 60 mg/kg by IV infusion up to a maximum of 4500 mg (see Table for dose by weight-band)
  • Dilute the required dose in at least 100 mL of suitable diluent (see Diluents above) and give by intravenous infusion over 15 min

© 2022 The Bedside Clinical Guidelines Partnership.

Created by University Hospital North Midlands and Keele University School of Computing and Mathematics.

Research and development team: James Mitchell, Ed de Quincey, Charles Pantin, Naveed Mustfa