Overview
Introduction
A patient may have excellent seizure control on levetiracetam yet still need close nursing surveillance.
A patient may have excellent seizure control on levetiracetam yet still need close nursing surveillance. The kidneys determine much of the drug’s exposure, while the most distinctive safety concerns involve behavior, mood, and serious skin or hypersensitivity reactions. A new angry or depressed mood is not merely an inconvenience, and a rash with fever is not automatically benign. The nurse links each dose to current renal function, seizure control, alertness, mood, and skin findings. Consistent dosing protects seizure control; abrupt withdrawal can precipitate increased seizure frequency or status epilepticus.