Epictal 500 mg Tablet is used to treat seizures (fits) due to epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic condition where the patients have repeated fits (convulsions). Epictal 500 mg Tablet is used for the epilepsy form in which the fits affect only one side of the brain, but could extend to larger areas on both sides of the brain.

Epictal 500 mg Tablet contains Levetiracetam, which works by slowing down the abnormal signals in the brain which cause episodes of seizures. It helps by suppressing specific brain sites responsible for abnormal activity and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures. It reduces the episodes of seizures but does not cure epilepsy.

Take Epictal 500 mg Tablet as prescribed. Your doctor will decide how often you should take Epictal 500 mg Tablet based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience daytime drowsiness, disturbed sleep, light-headedness, dizziness, sleepiness, general weakness, and unexplained infections. Most of these side effects of Epictal 500 mg Tablet do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please reach out to your doctor.

It is not known if Epictal 500 mg Tablet is safe or effective in children below four years of age. Inform the doctor if you have kidney disease, lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or a problem with alcohol or other prescription drugs. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Epictal 500 mg Tablet affects you, as its intake may make you dizzy or sleepy. Young children (especially less than 16 years) are more likely to develop behavioural changes like aggression than adults, so Epictal 500 mg Tablet should only be given under medical supervision to children. Suddenly stopping Epictal 500 mg Tablet can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, or general unwell feeling. Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused in some patients taking Epictal 500 mg Tablet , so pay attention to any sudden change in mood swings, behaviour, or feeling.

Epictal 500 mg Tablet contains Levetiracetam, used in combination or alone for treating symptoms of epilepsy. It works by slowing down the abnormal signals which the brain gives, leading to episodes of seizures. It helps by suppressing specific brain sites responsible for abnormal activity and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures. It reduces the episodes of seizures but does not cure epilepsy.

• Daytime drowsiness
• Disturbed sleep
• Light-headedness
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• General weakness
• Unexplained infections

Taking Epictal 500 mg Tablet with other anti-epileptic medication can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Epictal 500 mg Tablet should be taken with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Epictal 500 mg Tablet may affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery if taken with alcohol as you may feel dizzy, and you may be unable to concentrate. If you feel excess suicidal thoughts, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, dizziness, or sleepiness, let your doctor know about this. Pregnant or lactating women should consult a doctor before taking it as Category C pregnancy medication. Do not take Epictal 500 mg Tablet if you are allergic to any of its active ingredients, suffer from lung disease, liver disease, glaucoma, have difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea). Epictal 500 mg Tablet can cause serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which can be life-threatening. Please visit the doctor immediately if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.

Drug-Drug Interaction: This medicine may have interaction with antianxiety or antiepileptic medicines (carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), anti-HIV drugs (amprenavir, ritonavir), acidity medicine (cimetidine), drugs to treat chronic alcoholism (disulfiram), anti-tuberculosis drug (rifampicin), anti-Parkinson’s drug (levodopa), and asthma drugs (theophylline).

Drug-Food Interaction: Epictal 500 mg Tablet may interact with a multivitamin, multi-mineral, or other herbal supplements. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Effectiveness of Epictal 500 mg Tablet is affected in haemodialysis (when kidneys are not naturally able to perform a function), anaemia (low haemoglobin level). Also, obese people (with a BMI greater than 25) should consult a doctor before taking Epictal 500 mg Tablet .

• RITONAVIR
• CIMETIDINE
• DISULFIRAM
• PHENOBARBITAL
• LEVODOPA
• THEOPHYLLINE
• PHENYTOIN

• Do regular exercise, which can help lower anxiety by releasing endorphins and improving your sleep and self-image.
• Find humour in your daily life. Try to watch light-hearted shows to help relieve stress.
• You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
• Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve anxiety.
• Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
• Reduce your alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, high salt, and high fat intake. Especially trans-fat may help also help reduce inflammation.
• You can include antioxidants in your daily diet like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, and lemon balm.
• Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.

Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a brain-related chronic disorder characterized by episodes of seizures (fits). In this condition, there is a chemical change in the brain cells (neurons) that leads to a sudden rise of electrical activity (impulse) in the brain followed by sudden jerky movements of limbs or a body part. This disease cannot be cured but managed.