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Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: The precise mechanism by which levetiracetam exerts its antilepileptic effect is unknown. However, several studies have suggested the mechanism may involve one or more of the following central pharmacologic effects; inhibition of voltage-dependent N-type calcium channels; facilitation of GABA-ergic inhibitory transmission through displacement of negative modulators, reduction of delayed rectifier potassium current; and/or binding to synaptic proteins which modulate neurotransmitter release.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Oral: Rapid and almost complete.
Distribution: Vd: Similar to total body water.
Protein binding: <10%.
Metabolism: Not extensive, primarily by enzymatic hydrolysis; forms metabolites (inactive).
Bioavailability: 100%.
Half-life elimination: Infants and Children < 4 years: 5.3 ± 1.3 hours.
Children 4 to 12 years: 6 ± 1.1 hours.
Adults: 6 - 8 hours.
Time to peak, plasma: Fasting infants and children < 4 years: 1.4 ± 0.9 hours.
Excretion: Urine (66% as unchanged drug and 27% as inactive metabolites).
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