Acetam 500mg Tablet
Acetam 500mg Tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines. It helps to prevent seizures for as long as you continue to take it.
Acetam 500mg Tablet
Basic Information
Important information about this medicine
About This Medicine
General information about this product
Acetam 500mg Tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines. It helps to prevent seizures for as long as you continue to take it.
Acetam 500mg Tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines. It helps to prevent seizures for as long as you continue to take it.
Acetam 500mg Tablet suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You can take it with or without food but try to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will advise the right dose for you. It is generally advised as a long-term treatment. You should continue taking it for as long as your doctor has told you to, even if you feel well. If you stop or miss doses your seizures could get worse.Some common side effects of this medicine include dizziness, headache, infection, irritation, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), sleepiness, behavior changes, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. Side effects are more common during the first few weeks and usually lessen as your body gets used to the medicine. Most of these side effects do not need medical attention, but some of them can be serious. A small number of people being treated with this medicine have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Contact your doctor if your mood changes for the worse.Before taking it, you should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts and if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor may suggest regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function while taking this medicine.
03Uses
Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
04How To Use
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Acetam 500mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
05How It Works
Acetam 500mg Tablet is an antiepileptic medication. It works by attaching to specific sites (SV2A) on the surfaces of nerve cells. This suppresses the abnormal activity of the nerve cells in the brain and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures.
06What If You Miss A Dose?
If you miss a dose of Acetam 500mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
07Benefits
In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Acetam 500mg Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called anticonvulsants (or anti-epileptics). It works by slowing down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures (fits). This medicine can be used to control various types of seizures—myoclonic, partial-onset, and primary generalized tonic-clonic (or grand mal). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this time you may still have seizures. You should continue taking it even if you feel well and are not having any seizures. Missing doses may trigger a seizure. Do not stop using this medicine until your doctor advises you.
08Side Effects
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Infection
Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
Agitation
Irritation
Aggressive behavior
Behavioural changes
Decreased appetite
Headache
Fatigue
Dizziness
Sleepiness
09Safety Information
Alcohol:UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Acetam 500mg Tablet.
Pregnancy:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Acetam 500mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Acetam 500mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.Monitor the baby for sleepiness and adequate weight gain.
Driving:UNSAFE
Acetam 500mg Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney:CAUTION
Acetam 500mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Acetam 500mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Acetam 500mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Acetam 500mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.
10Drug Tips
Acetam 500mg Tablet should be taken regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.Practice yoga every day.Get enough sleep at nighttime.Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.Take your medication on time.
Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
Practice yoga every day.
Get enough sleep at nighttime.
Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
Take your medication on time.
It may cause sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.
Do not stop using Acetam 500mg Tablet without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
References
Sources and references
Stahl SM, editor. Levetiracetam. In: Stahl’s Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber’s Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 333-36.
McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 600.
Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 411.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. p. 789.
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