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Drug Injury Lawyers

Generic Anticonvulsant Issues

A generic version of the anticonvulsant medication Keppra®, commonly used to treat patients who suffer from seizures, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for marketing in 2009. However, it seems that patients who switch from Keppra to the generic, Levetiracetam, are experiencing increased reoccurrence of seizures after having been seizure-free on the brand name Keppra.

Patients who were switched from Keppra to generic Levetiracetam may suffereconomic lossesresulting from having their driving privileges revoked because of seizure danger, inability to work, unable to attend school, and other problems. Additionally, there have been reports of injuries and at least onedeathresulting from a patient who suffered a seizure and died after being switched from Keppra to the generic drug.

In addition to treating patients with epilepsy or other seizure disorders, Keppra or Levetiracetam may be administered to patients who have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and had seizures from their brain injury.

Generic Keppra (Levetiracetam) Manufacturers

Generic Keppra is made by a number of different manufacturers:

• Aurobindo Pharma
• Cobalt Pharmaceuticals
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
• Mylan Pharmaceuticals
• Roxane Laboratories, Inc.
• Sandoz
• Teva Pharmaceuticals

Generic Keppra tablets are available in the following strengths:

• Levetiracetam 250 mg
• Levetiracetam 500 mg
• Levetiracetam 750 mg

Keppra oral solution (liquid) is also available in generic form.

Generic Drug Differences

All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The FDA then looks at these tests to decide if the generics are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns each generic a rating.

An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic Keppra versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Keppra.

However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients than the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with allergies or sensitivities.

It should also be noted that many health care providers believe that special care should be taken when switching a patient from a brand-name seizure medication to a generic one, or even switching between different generic versions of a medication.

Never stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor.

Keppra is a registered trademark of UCB S.A. and is used here only to identify the product in question. This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Aurobindo Pharma, Cobalt Pharmaceuticals , Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Roxane Laboratories, Inc., Sandoz, or Teva Pharmaceuticals.

*Cases likely to be referred

Have you or someone you care about been seriously injured by a generic anticonvulsant? Contact a Hughes & Coleman drug injury lawyer today. We serve clients in Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Lexington, Louisville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Clarksville and Gallatin. Complete a FREE Consultation Form online or call us today.