Levetiracetam (Keppra) is an adjunct therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults. Its mechanism of action is unknown; it does not act on sodium gated channels, or on GABA or glutamate receptors.
Samples for analysis should be taken pre-dose (trough levels).
Analysed by GC-MS
There is no evidence to justify monitoring of Levetiracetam other than to assess adherence, though a range of 6 – 20 mg/L has been suggested. Renal excretion means that the plasma half-life is longer in the elderly. Dose reduction is necessary at GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
The laboratories at Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital form part of the services provided by University Hospitals Birmingham and are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/
Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.
For further test information, please visit the test database: http://www.heftpathology.com/frontpage/test-database.html.
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For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 424 1235