Keppra as an Anticonvulsant
Keppra can be used by itself as an anticonvulsant medication. It can also be used in conjunction with phenobarbital or potassium bromide to alleviate symptoms more effectively. Less of those other medications may be needed when using Keppra, which can reduce the side effects they may cause. Side effects of phenobarbital or potassium bromide in dogs may include sedation, ataxia (loss of coordination), and behavioral changes.
Keppra is available in different dosages, including 500-milligram and 750-milligram extended-release tablets. It does need to be dosed more frequently than other anticonvulsant medications. In many cases, the medication must be given three times daily or the extended-release tablets given twice a day. This is because it is rapidly broken down in the body, with an elimination half-life between four and six hours. It also has a wide margin of safety, so overdoses are less likely. It doesnt require monitoring of blood levels.
Levetiracetam appears to be relatively safe for dogs, but studies are still ongoing to investigate any adverse effects it may have. It does not appear to affect the liver or liver enzymes (measured in the blood) as phenobarbital and potassium bromide can. It is not broken down by the liver but instead passes into the urine. This is why it is safer for pets who may have impaired liver function, including those whose seizures are due to liver damage from other medications such as phenobarbital.
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Key Takeaway: Keppra is an anti-seizure drug for dogs, cats, and people. It is often used in conjunction with Phenobarbital or Potassium Bromide. Its side effects include decreased appetite, drooling, vomiting, and behavioral changes. Its safety profile is considered better than Gabapentins. Share Link
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With more than 5% of dogs suffering from seizures at some point in their life, there is a constant push to find safer and more effective ways to treat them. Seizures tend to occur when there is a change in brain activity, e.g. waking up, excited, and dog seizures while sleeping are also possible. Seizures are most common in dogs with epilepsy, which involves abnormal brain activity.
Keppra for dogs is a relatively new drug often used alongside conventional anti-seizure medications, and it presents some benefits. We will explore Keppras side effects in dogs and how they compare to those of traditional anticonvulsant drugs.
Keppra is one of the brands which manufacture the drug Levetiracetam, a relatively new anticonvulsant used for dogs, cats, and people. Keppra for dogs is often used in combination with Phenobarbital or Potassium Bromide to treat seizures or epilepsy that is not responsive to these drugs, or for animals that have an adverse reaction to these drugs. Keppra differs from traditional anti-seizure medication in the fact that it does not contain either Potassium Bromide or Phenobarbital, which means it has a wider margin of safety, especially for dogs suffering from a damaged liver, or liver problems.
As a prescription drug, your veterinarian will direct you on the proper dosage of Keppra for dogs. Keppra comes in a tablet form ranging from 250mg to 1000mg, the extended-release pill comes in either 500mg or 750mg, and it is also available in an oral or injectable solution. The liver doesnt process Keppra in the same way as traditional anticonvulsants, and it leaves the body more quickly. Because of this, it has a half-life of around four to six hours, meaning that it usually has to be dosed three times a day. While giving medication this often can be difficult, receiving each dose on time is important for controlling seizures. Like many drugs veterinarians prescribe to animals, Keppra is off label, meaning that the dosage and directions probably wont match those on the label; this is common as drugs are usually developed for humans and then used on animals.
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