Therapeutic Action
Antiseizure (anticonvulsant)
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Drug reference
Antiseizure (anticonvulsant)
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Second-line treatment of convulsive status epilepticus
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Administer with caution to patients with renal impairment (reduce dosage) or heart disorders. May cause: drowsiness, headache, asthenia, dizziness, behavioural disturbances; haematologic disorders, gastrointestinal disturbances, cough, nasopharyngitis; rarely: QT prolongation, hypersensitivity reactions sometimes severe; respiratory depression and coma in the event of overdose. Avoid or monitor the combination with: mefloquine (reduced effect of LEV); drugs that prolong the QT interval (antimalarials, antipsychotics, fluconazole, fluoroquinolones, hydroxyzine, macrolides, ondansetron, etc.); benzodiazepines, opioid analgesics, antipsychotics, first-generation antihistamines (hydroxyzine, promethazine), antidepressants, other antiseizure medications, etc. (increased sedation). Pregnancy and breast-feeding: the risks linked to status epilepticus appear greater than risks linked to LEV.
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500 mg in 5 ml vial (100 mg/ml) for slow IV injection or IV infusion in 0.9% sodium chloride or 5% glucose DO NOT ADMINISTER THE SOLUTION UNDILUTED BY IV INJECTION. DO NOT ADMINISTER BY SC INJECTION.
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Loading dose: Child 1 month and over: Use diluted solution: add 3 ml (300 mg) of LEV to 17 ml of 0.9% NaCl to obtain 20 ml of solution containing 15 mg of LEV per ml. Administer 40 mg/kg (max. 3 g) over 10 minutes by IV infusion using a syringe pump or by very slow IV injection. If seizures do not stop after the end of the first dose, readminister half-dose: 20 mg/kg (max. 1.5 g) as above. Do not exceed the total dose of 60 mg/kg or 4.5 g. Adult: 60 mg/kg (max. 4.5 g) single dose over 15 minutes Use diluted solution as above (15 mg/ml) if administered by IV infusion using a syringe pump. Use undiluted solution if administered by IV infusion in a bag of 100 ml of 0.9% NaCl. In children and adult, do not exceed an infusion rate of 5 mg/kg/minute. If maintenance treatment is indicated after the loading dose: change to oral route as soon as possible.
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Do not mix with other drugs in the same syringe or infusion.
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– Below 25 °C
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