Levetiracetam in Rett syndrome: brands, behaviour changes and side effects
Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2026 12:12 am
Generic medicine: LevetiracetamCommon brand names: Keppra, Desitrend and Spritam; extended-release brands in some countries include Elepsia XR.
Availability, formulation and brand names vary internationally.
How it may be used
Levetiracetam is used for several seizure types and was one of the five most commonly reported medicines in a large international Rett cohort. It has relatively few medicine interactions, but effectiveness and tolerability vary.
Common side effects
• Sleepiness, tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness or headache
• Unsteadiness or coordination difficulty
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Irritability, agitation or aggression
• Other mood or behaviour changes
Because communicating discomfort may be difficult in Rett syndrome, carers may notice behavioural or alertness changes before the person can indicate them.
Important risks
• Severe mood or behavioural changes and, rarely, suicidal thoughts
• DRESS, a rare serious reaction that may begin with fever, rash or swollen glands
• Severe allergic or skin reactions
• Dose adjustment may be needed with reduced kidney function
Seek urgent medical advice for
A severe or rapidly changing mood or behaviour, self-harm concerns, new rash with fever or swollen glands, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, extreme drowsiness or a marked increase in seizures.
Important: Do not stop levetiracetam suddenly; abrupt withdrawal can cause more seizures.
Rett medication-use study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23421866/
Medicine information: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/levetiracetam/
FDA safety warning about DRESS: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a ... xr-elepsia
Information checked 4 September 2026. This is general information, not a complete side-effect list or a treatment recommendation. Report concerning behavioural changes promptly to the clinical team.
Availability, formulation and brand names vary internationally.
How it may be used
Levetiracetam is used for several seizure types and was one of the five most commonly reported medicines in a large international Rett cohort. It has relatively few medicine interactions, but effectiveness and tolerability vary.
Common side effects
• Sleepiness, tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness or headache
• Unsteadiness or coordination difficulty
• Feeling sick or vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Irritability, agitation or aggression
• Other mood or behaviour changes
Because communicating discomfort may be difficult in Rett syndrome, carers may notice behavioural or alertness changes before the person can indicate them.
Important risks
• Severe mood or behavioural changes and, rarely, suicidal thoughts
• DRESS, a rare serious reaction that may begin with fever, rash or swollen glands
• Severe allergic or skin reactions
• Dose adjustment may be needed with reduced kidney function
Seek urgent medical advice for
A severe or rapidly changing mood or behaviour, self-harm concerns, new rash with fever or swollen glands, facial swelling, breathing difficulty, extreme drowsiness or a marked increase in seizures.
Important: Do not stop levetiracetam suddenly; abrupt withdrawal can cause more seizures.
Rett medication-use study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23421866/
Medicine information: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/levetiracetam/
FDA safety warning about DRESS: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a ... xr-elepsia
Information checked 4 September 2026. This is general information, not a complete side-effect list or a treatment recommendation. Report concerning behavioural changes promptly to the clinical team.