Everet 250mg (Levetiracetam)

Everet general information

What is Everet used for?

Everet tablets 250mg are used to treat epilepsy in adults and children.  Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by seizures or fits of various different types that can range from mild to severe.  Everet tablets 250mg are used as add-on therapy to prevent seizures due to partial epilepsy, in which the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised.  A local seizure may spread to become a generalised seizure, in which other parts of the brain are involved in the seizure.  A generalised seizure covers a range of different types, including absences (formally known as petit mal), various forms of myoclonic epilepsy and tonic-clonic (formally known as grand mal) seizures.  Everet 250 is also used alone as monotherapy for treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation. 

How does Everet work?

Everet tablets 250mg contain levetiracetam, which is an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures in epilepsy.  Epileptic seizures are triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, and for the brain to function normally it is important to have a balance between excitatory neurotransmitters and those that have a calming effect on nerve cells.  Levetiracetam in Everet tablets 250mg does not appear to work in the same way as other anti-epileptics as it does not act as a nerve cell membrane stabiliser to alter basic cell characteristics and normal neurotransmission.  Levetiracetam in Everet tablets 250mg binds to a protein inside nerve cells (neurones) called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A.  This protein is thought to be involved in the formation, fusion with the cell membrane, and release of vesicles, a process known as exocytosis, which is how neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neurone into the synapse (gap) between neurones.  Everet in Levetiracetam 250 also inhibits the voltage-dependent calcium channels in the post-synaptic neurones, which reduces the post-synaptic firing (nerve cell action potential) resulting in reduced transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  These mechanisms of action inhibit the repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages, which reduces the impulses that cause seizures and contribute to the anticonvulsant effects of Everet tablets 250mg. 

What does Everet contain?

Everet tablets contain the active ingredient levetiracetam 250mg, an anticonvulsant used to prevent seizures in epilepsy.  They also contain corn starch, povidone, purified water, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, Opadry 03B50643 blue coloured coating.

Treating epilepsy with Everet

Everet tablets 250mg contain levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy in adults and children.  Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is characterized by seizures or fits triggered by episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, in which a malfunction in the transmission of electrical signals causes repetitive firing and transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  Transmission of electrical signals is controlled by brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.  Levetiracetam in Everet tablets 250mg binds to a protein inside nerve cells (neurones) called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein SV2A that is thought to be involved in the formation and release of vesicles, which is how neurotransmitters are released from the pre-synaptic neurone into the synapse between neurones.  Levetiracetam in Everet tablets 250mg also inhibits the voltage-dependent calcium channels in the post-synaptic neurones, which reduces transmission of excitatory nerve messages.  These mechanisms of action reduce the repetitive firing of excitatory impulses that cause seizures and contribute to the anticonvulsant effects of Everet 250.   Epileptic seizures vary in type and range from mild to severe.  Everet tablets 250mg are used as add-on therapy to prevent seizures due to partial epilepsy, in which the area of the brain involved in a seizure is localised.  A local seizure may spread to become a generalised seizure, in which other parts of the brain are involved in the seizure.  A generalised seizure covers a range of different types, including absences (formally known as petit mal), various forms of myoclonic epilepsy and tonic-clonic (formally known as grand mal) seizures.  Everet tablets 250mg are also used alone as monotherapy in adults and adolescents over 16 years for treatment of partial onset seizures with or without secondary generalisation. 

What are the side effects of Everet?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Everet tablets 250mg include, somnolence (sleepiness); asthenia (fatigue); headache; nasopharyngitis; infection; gastrointestinal upset including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion; cough, dizziness and loss of balance; mood changes including depression, hostility or aggression, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness or irritability; rash.

When should Everet not be used?

You should not use Everet tablets 250mg if you:

• are allergic to levetiracetam or any ingredients in Everet
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• develop signs of depression with suicidal tendencies
• are taking medicines that interact with Everet, including probenecid for gout, enzyme-inducing antiepileptics like carbamazepine

How should Everet be taken?

You should take your Everet tablets 250mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food twice daily morning and evening at the same time each day.  The dose you take may be increased by your doctor depending on how well you respond and your tolerance to side effects.  You should continue to take your Everet tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, even if you feel well as Everet tablets 250mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking your Everet tablets 250mg suddenly, you may make your condition worse.  If you are advised to stop taking Everet tablets 250mg your dose will be decreased slowly before you stop taking it altogether. 

How long should you take Everet?

You should continue to take your Everet tablets 250mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, even if you feel well as, Everet tablets 250mg helps control your condition but will not cure it.  If you stop taking your Everet tablets 250mg suddenly, you may make your condition worse.  If you are advised to stop taking Everet tablets 250mg your dose will be decreased slowly before you stop taking it altogether. 

Missed dose of Everet

If you miss a dose of Everet tablets 250mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Everet be stored?

You should store your Everet tablets 250mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.