Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Mankind Pharma Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Levetiracetam (500mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Pyrrolidinone & Acetamide Derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | NEURO CNS |
| Action Class | Synaptic vescicle 2 A protein ligand (AED) |
| User Rating | 4.2 |
| User Reviews | 498 |
FAQ
For how long do I need to take Epifast RTU 500mg?
You should continue to take Epifast RTU 500mg for as long as your doctor advises you to. Do not stop taking it suddenly because this may increase the frequency of seizures which may be difficult to control.
Can I drink alcohol with Epifast RTU 500mg?
Yes, you may drink alcohol while taking Epifast RTU 500mg. Alcohol itself does not affect the way Epifast RTU 500mg works. However, alcohol can increase the sleepiness or dizziness that occur as side effects of Epifast RTU 500mg in some individuals. Therefore, you should avoid alcohol while taking Epifast RTU 500mg until you know how it affects you.
Will the use of Epifast RTU 500mg affect my fertility?
Epifast RTU 500mg is not known to affect fertility in males or females. However, talk to your doctor if you are facing fertility issues during the treatment with this medicine.
How long does Epifast RTU 500mg take to show its effect?
Epifast RTU 500mg may take a few weeks to start working properly since the dose is increased slowly. Your seizures may continue until Epifast RTU 500mg starts working completely.
What symptoms can occur if someone takes an excess of Epifast RTU 500mg?
Taking an excess of Epifast RTU 500mg may cause sleepiness, agitation, aggression, a decrease of alertness, inhibition of breathing, and even a state of coma. In case of an overdose, immediate medical care should be provided to the patient in a nearby hospital.
I have gained weight since I started taking Epifast RTU 500mg. Is it because of Epifast RTU 500mg? What should I do?
Weight gain is an uncommon side effect of Epifast RTU 500mg. However, the response may vary from person to person. To prevent weight gain you should take a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking, cut down on high-calorie food items, include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, and exercise regularly. If you still have issues with your weight, consult your doctor.
Can the use of Epifast RTU 500mg cause sleepiness?
Yes, Epifast RTU 500mg can make you feel sleepy. Therefore, during the initial phase of treatment, avoid driving, operating machinery, working at heights, or participating in potentially dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.
Will I get addicted to Epifast RTU 500mg if I use it for a long time?
No, Epifast RTU 500mg is not habit-forming. No physical or psychological dependence has been reported with Epifast RTU 500mg. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects.
What if you forget to take Epifast RTU Infusion?
If you miss a dose of Epifast RTU 500mg, get the injection 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.
Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion Reviews
Epifast RTU 500mg 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.
Epifast RTU 500mg is given as an infusion (slow drip) into a vein under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is generally used for short-term control of seizures when treatment with oral medication is not feasible (eg. when the patient is unconscious). 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. Your doctor is likely to prescribe you oral medicines for long-term seizure control, after treatment with this injection has been completed.
Some common side effects of this medicine include dizziness, headache, infection, irritation, nasopharyngitis, sleepiness, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. You may also experience behavioral changes, aggressive behavior, irritation, agitation, etc. Side effects are more common during the first few days 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. Let your doctor know right away if you have developed an allergic reaction (hives, itching, weakness, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, or swelling of face, tongue, and throat), a skin rash, or persistent behavioral changes like confusion, forgetfulness, feeling irritable, increased aggression or hostility. There may be ways of preventing or reducing them. 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 or planning to become pregnant. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may increase the risk of seizures and worsen the side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Drowsiness and dizziness may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Your kidney function may need to be tested periodically while taking this medicine.
Epifast RTU 500mg is given as an infusion (slow drip) into a vein under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is generally used for short-term control of seizures when treatment with oral medication is not feasible (eg. when the patient is unconscious). 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. Your doctor is likely to prescribe you oral medicines for long-term seizure control, after treatment with this injection has been completed.
Some common side effects of this medicine include dizziness, headache, infection, irritation, nasopharyngitis, sleepiness, aggressive behavior, and decreased appetite. You may also experience behavioral changes, aggressive behavior, irritation, agitation, etc. Side effects are more common during the first few days 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. Let your doctor know right away if you have developed an allergic reaction (hives, itching, weakness, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, or swelling of face, tongue, and throat), a skin rash, or persistent behavioral changes like confusion, forgetfulness, feeling irritable, increased aggression or hostility. There may be ways of preventing or reducing them. 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 or planning to become pregnant. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may increase the risk of seizures and worsen the side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Drowsiness and dizziness may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Your kidney function may need to be tested periodically while taking this medicine.
How Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion Works
Epifast RTU 500mg 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.
How to Use Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self-administer.
Benefits of Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion
- In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures: Epifast RTU 500mg 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.
Uses of Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion
- Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Epifast RTU 500mg Infusion Side Effects
Safety Tips
Kidney
CAUTION
Epifast RTU 500mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Epifast RTU 500mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Epifast RTU 500mg.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Epifast RTU 500mg is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Epifast RTU 500mg may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Epifast RTU 500mg 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
Epifast RTU 500mg 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
Epifast RTU 500mg may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Quick Tips
- Practice yoga every day.
- It is given as IV infusion under the supervision of a doctor.
- Inform your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with kidney disease. The dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.
- Take your medication on time.
- Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
- 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.
- It may cause sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
References
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Levetiracetam [Package Insert]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2021.
- National Health Service. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking levetiracetam. [Last Reviewed: 10 May 2022].
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006. Levetiracetam. [Updated 2022 Nov 30].
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Levetiracetam. [Updated 2020 Jan 20].
- Levetiracetam [FDA Label]. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Cardinal Health; 2006.