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Keppra (levetiracetam)
Keppra (generic name: levetiracetam) is a Antiepileptic agent Small molecule drug developed by Generic (originally UCB Pharma). It is currently FDA-approved (first approved 1999) for Epilepsy characterized by intractable complex partial seizures, Myoclonic Epilepsy Adjunct Treatment, Partial Epilepsy Treatment Adjunct. Also known as: Keppra, Keppra XR.
Levetiracetam binds to synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, potentially regulating vesicle exocytosis.
Keppra, also known as levetiracetam, is an anti-seizure medication used to treat partial-onset, myoclonic, or tonic-clonic seizures. It works by modulating the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A, a small molecule mechanism that affects the release of neurotransmitters.
At a glance
| Generic name | levetiracetam |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Keppra, Keppra XR |
| Sponsor | Generic (originally UCB Pharma) |
| Drug class | Antiepileptic agent |
| Target | Synaptic vesicle protein SV2A |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Metabolic |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1999-11-30 (United States) |
Mechanism of action
The precise mechanism of levetiracetam's antiepileptic effect is unknown. A saturable and stereoselective neuronal binding site has been identified in rat brain tissue as the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, which is thought to be involved in the regulation of vesicle exocytosis. Although the molecular significance of levetiracetam binding to SV2A is not fully understood, experimental data demonstrate that levetiracetam and related analogs show a rank order of affinity for SV2A that correlates with the potency of their antiseizure activity in audiogenic seizure-prone mice, suggesting that this interaction may contribute to the drug's antiepileptic mechanism of action.
Approved indications
- Epilepsy characterized by intractable complex partial seizures
- Myoclonic Epilepsy Adjunct Treatment
- Partial Epilepsy Treatment Adjunct
- Simple partial seizure
- Status epilepticus
- Tonic-Clonic Epilepsy Treatment Adjunct
Common side effects
- Anemia
- Lymphocyte count decreased
- Neutrophil count decreased
- Platelet count decreased
- White blood cell decreased
- Febrile neutropenia
- Hypokalemia
- Mucositis oral
- Hypophosphatemia
- Enterocolitis infectious
- Upper respiratory infection
- Fever
Key clinical trials
- An Open-Label, Multicenter, Parallel-Group, Two-Arm Study Comparing the Pharmacokinetics of Keppra XR in Children (Aged 12 - 16 Years Old) With Epilepsy and in Adults (Aged 18 - 55 Years Old) With Epi (Phase 2)
- Efficacy of Prophylactic Levetiracetam for Improving Functional Outcome in the Acute Phase of Intracerebral Haemorrhage: a Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase 3 Trial (Phase 3)
- An Investigation of Levetiracetam in Alzheimer's Disease (ILiAD): a Proof of Concept Study (Phase 2)
- Long-term Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam in Routine Clinical Practice in the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, and Romania - Non-interventional Study (N/A)
- Phase I/II Study of Intravenous Infusion of Tetra-o-Methyl Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (EM-1421) in Subjects With Recurrent High Grade Glioma (Phase 1)
- A Phase I Study to Examine the Toxicity of Allogeneneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Relapsed or Therapy Refractory Ewings (Phase 1)
- Levetiracetam (Keppra) Treatment for Cocaine Dependence in Methadone-Maintained Patients (Phase 2)
- Pharmacokinetics and Safety of 50 mg/kg IV Levetiracetam (Keppra) in Full Term and Preterm Neonates (Phase 1)
Patents
| Patent | Expiry | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 9339489 | 2034-03-14 | Formulation |
| 9669009 | 2034-03-14 | Method of Use |
| 7858122 | 2028-09-17 | Formulation |
| 8535717 | 2026-02-22 | Formulation |
| 8163306 | 2027-09-03 | Formulation |
| 11160786 | 2034-03-14 | Formulation |
| 8802142 | 2031-06-07 | Formulation |
| 8425938 | 2026-02-22 | Formulation |
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
| FDA Orange Book | Patents + exclusivity |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Keppra CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Keppra updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Generic (originally UCB Pharma) portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Keppra
What is Keppra?
How does Keppra work?
What is Keppra used for?
Who makes Keppra?
What is the generic name of Keppra?
Is Keppra also known as anything else?
What drug class is Keppra in?
When was Keppra approved?
What development phase is Keppra in?
What are the side effects of Keppra?
What does Keppra target?
Related
- Drug class: All Antiepileptic agent drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Synaptic vesicle protein SV2A
- Manufacturer: Generic (originally UCB Pharma) — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Metabolic
- Indication: Drugs for Epilepsy characterized by intractable complex partial seizures
- Indication: Drugs for Myoclonic Epilepsy Adjunct Treatment
- Indication: Drugs for Partial Epilepsy Treatment Adjunct
- Also known as: Keppra, Keppra XR
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing