Levetiracetam oral tablets are a generic drug prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and some children.

Levetiracetam comes in different forms, such as a liquid solution for intravenous (IV) injection, oral solution, and oral tablets. This article focuses on the oral tablets and extended-release (ER) oral tablets. (ER oral tablets slowly release the drug into your body over a long period of time.)

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

By learning about possible levetiracetam interactions, you can work with your doctor to ensure levetiracetam will be safe and effective for you to take.

Before you start treatment with levetiracetam, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

To learn whether levetiracetam interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Levetiracetam and other interactions” section.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with levetiracetam. Keep in mind this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with levetiracetam. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing levetiracetam due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. Below are the contraindications of levetiracetam.

Before you start treatment with levetiracetam, it’s important to tell your doctor if these contraindications apply to you. They can determine whether to prescribe levetiracetam.

If you have had an allergic reaction to levetiracetam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe levetiracetam. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

There are no known interactions between levetiracetam and alcohol. However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit it during levetiracetam treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol can cause similar side effects as levetiracetam. For example, you may experience:

If you consume alcohol during levetiracetam treatment, these side effects may be more likely to occur. If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking levetiracetam, talk with your doctor.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of levetiracetam.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol, others) is a drug used to treat seizures, nerve pain, and bipolar disorder.

Taking levetiracetam with carbamazepine can increase the risk of certain side effects. These include vomiting, dizziness, balance problems, and vision changes. This is because both drugs cause some similar side effects. So taking them together can increase the risk of these side effects.

Steps you or your doctor may take

Let your doctor know if you take carbamazepine before you start levetiracetam. They can help determine if it’s safe for you to take these drugs together. If you are taking these drugs together and notice any of the above side effects, tell your doctor right away.

Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs used to treat various conditions, such as anxiety and insomnia.

Taking levetiracetam with a benzodiazepine can increase the risk of drowsiness, confusion, and concentration problems. This is because both these drugs can cause these side effects. So combining levetiracetam with a benzodiazepine can make these side effects more likely to occur.

Here are some benzodiazepines that may interact with levetiracetam:

Steps you or your doctor may take

If you take a benzodiazepine, tell your doctor before you start levetiracetam. If you and your doctor decide it’s safe for you to take these drugs together, let them know if you experience any drowsiness, confusion, or trouble concentrating. They may adjust the dosage of one or both drugs.

Taking levetiracetam with molindone can increase the risk of drowsiness and make levetiracetam less effective. This is because both drugs can cause drowsiness. So taking them together can make drowsiness more likely to occur.

Molindone may also increase the risk of having seizures. This can make levetiracetam less effective at preventing seizures.

Steps you or your doctor may take

Tell your doctor if you take molindone before you start levetiracetam. They can discuss whether it’s safe for you to combine these drugs.

If you’re taking these drugs together and experience any drowsiness or more frequent seizures, tell your doctor. They may adjust your dose or have you switch to a different antipsychotic or antiseizure medication.

Levetiracetam may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or lab tests.

Here are some potential interactions with levetiracetam. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible levetiracetam interactions.

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Levetiracetam interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with levetiracetam. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during levetiracetam treatment.

Levetiracetam interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with levetiracetam. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with levetiracetam.

There were no reports of food interactions with levetiracetam. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with levetiracetam, talk with your doctor.

There aren’t any known interactions between levetiracetam and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to check whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Levetiracetam isn’t known to interact with lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with levetiracetam. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Levetiracetam may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with levetiracetam include:

Here are some frequently asked questions about levetiracetam and possible interactions.

No, there aren’t any known interactions between levetiracetam and antibiotics. It’s likely safe for you to take levetiracetam with antibiotics.

But be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication.

Generally, yes. There are no known drug interactions between vitamin D and levetiracetam. So it’s likely safe to take them together.

If you have more questions about the use of levetiracetam and vitamin D together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

In most cases, yes. Levetiracetam and acetaminophen (Tylenol) aren’t known to interact with each other. So it’s likely safe to take these drugs together.

If you have questions about the use of levetiracetam with acetaminophen (Tylenol), talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with levetiracetam. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

It’s also important to read the levetiracetam label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. The paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If levetiracetam doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with levetiracetam by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.