Litem Injection
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Johnlee Pharmaceuticals Pvt 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 | 4.1 |
| User Reviews | 379 |
FAQ
Will the use of Litem affect my fertility?
Litem 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 Litem take to show its effect?
Litem may take a few weeks to start working properly since the dose is increased slowly. Your seizures may continue until Litem starts working completely.
What symptoms can occur if someone takes an excess of Litem?
Taking an excess of Litem 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.
Can the use of Litem cause sleepiness?
Yes, Litem 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 Litem if I use it for a long time?
No, Litem is not habit-forming. No physical or psychological dependence has been reported with Litem. Consult your doctor if you experience any side effects.
Can I drink alcohol with Litem?
Yes, you may drink alcohol while taking Litem. Alcohol itself does not affect the way Litem works. However, alcohol can increase the sleepiness or dizziness that occur as side effects of Litem in some individuals. Therefore, you should avoid alcohol while taking Litem until you know how it affects you.
For how long do I need to take Litem?
You should continue to take Litem 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.
I have gained weight since I started taking Litem. Is it because of Litem? What should I do?
Weight gain is an uncommon side effect of Litem. 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.
What if you forget to take Litem?
If you miss a dose of Litem, 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.
Litem Injection Reviews
Litem 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.
Litem 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.
Litem 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 Litem Injection Works
Litem 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 Litem Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
Benefits of Litem Injection
- In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures: Litem 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 Litem Injection
- Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Litem Injection Side Effects
Safety Tips
Kidney
CAUTION
Litem should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Litem may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Litem 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.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Litem.
Liver
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Litem is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Litem may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.However, a lower dose may be advised in patients with severe liver disease.
Driving
UNSAFE
Litem may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Litem 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.
Quick Tips
- 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 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 a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
- It may cause sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
- Practice yoga every day.
References
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Levetiracetam. [Updated 2020 Jan 20].
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006. Levetiracetam. [Updated 2022 Nov 30].
- National Health Service. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking levetiracetam. [Last Reviewed: 10 May 2022].
- 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.
- 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.
- Levetiracetam [Package Insert]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2021.
- 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.
- Levetiracetam [FDA Label]. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Cardinal Health; 2006.
- 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.