From the Research
Keppra (levetiracetam) blood levels should be monitored through therapeutic drug monitoring, with a therapeutic range generally considered to be between 12-46 μg/mL, to ensure effective seizure control while minimizing side effects, as evidenced by the most recent study 1. The therapeutic range for Keppra in blood is crucial for maintaining efficacy while reducing the risk of adverse effects.
- Blood samples for Keppra level testing should ideally be drawn just before the next scheduled dose (trough level) to provide the most consistent and meaningful results.
- Patients should continue taking their medication as prescribed before the test unless specifically instructed otherwise by their healthcare provider.
- Monitoring is particularly important when starting treatment, adjusting dosage, adding or removing other medications that might interact with Keppra, or when patients experience breakthrough seizures or new side effects.
- Keppra has a relatively wide therapeutic window compared to older antiepileptic drugs, meaning the gap between effective and toxic levels is larger, which makes it somewhat safer, as noted in 2. However, regular monitoring is still valuable, especially in patients with kidney dysfunction since Keppra is primarily eliminated through the kidneys, as highlighted in 3. If levels are outside the therapeutic range, your doctor may adjust your dosage accordingly to optimize seizure control while minimizing adverse effects. It's also important to note that the adverse effects of Keppra may not be correlated with its levels in the blood, as suggested by 1, making monitoring of creatinine kinase important for early detection of levetiracetam-induced rhabdomyolysis.