LEVETIRACETAM

Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is an antiepileptic drug available as a clear, colorless, sterile solution for intravenous administration. The chemical name of levetiracetam, a single enantiomer, is (-)-(S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, its molecular formula is C 8 H 14 N 2 O 2 and its molecular weight is 170.21. Levetiracetam is chemically unrelated to existing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It has the following structural formula: Levetiracetam is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a faint odor and a bitter taste. It is very soluble in water (104.0 grams per 100 mL). It is freely soluble in chloroform (65.3 grams per 100 mL) and in methanol (53.6 grams per 100 mL), soluble in ethanol (16.5 grams per 100 mL), sparingly soluble in acetonitrile (5.7 grams per 100 mL) and practically insoluble in n-hexane. (Solubility limits are expressed as grams per 100 mL solvent.) Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is a clear, colorless, sterile solution that is available in a single-dose dual port bag with an aluminum overwrap. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex. 500 mg per 100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 500 mg of levetiracetam (5 mg per mL), water for injection, 820 mg sodium chloride, 5.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. 1,000 mg per 100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 1,000 mg of levetiracetam (10 mg per mL), water for injection, 750 mg sodium chloride, 6.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. 1,500 mg per 100 mL: One 100 mL bag contains 1,500 mg of levetiracetam (15 mg per mL), water for injection, 540 mg sodium chloride, 7.5 mg of glacial acetic acid and buffered at approximately pH 5.5 with glacial acetic acid and 164 mg sodium acetate trihydrate. Figure

Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated for adjunct therapy in adults (≥16 years of age) with the following seizure types when oral administration is temporarily not feasible: Partial-onset seizures ( 1.1 ) Myoclonic seizures in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy ( 1.2 ) Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Partial-Onset Seizures Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. 1.2 Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. 1.3 Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. 1.4 Limitations of Use Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is an antiepileptic drug indicated for adult patients (16 years and older) when oral administration is temporarily not feasible.

For intravenous infusion only ( 2.1 ) Do not dilute prior to its use ( 2.1 ) Administer dose-specific bag intravenously over 15-minutes ( 2.1 ) Initial Exposure to Levetiracetam Partial-Onset Seizures: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to a maximum recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ) Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to the recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ) Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: Initial dose is 500 mg twice daily. Increase by 500 mg twice daily every 2 weeks to the recommended dose of 1,500 mg twice daily. ( 2.2 ) Switching from or to oral Levetiracetam : The total daily dosage/frequency of levetiracetam injection should be equivalent to those of oral levetiracetam ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) Renal Impairment: Dose adjustment necessary based on creatinine clearance ( 2.5 ) 2.1 General Information – Administration Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is for intravenous infusion only. It is available in the following concentrations: three single-dose 100 mL bags, each containing a different total dosage of levetiracetam (500 mg [5 mg per mL], 1,000 mg [10 mg per mL], or 1,500 mg [15 mg per mL]). A single-dose bag should be administered intravenously over a 15-minute IV infusion period. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection should not be further diluted prior to use. Any unused portion of the Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection contents should be discarded. 2.2 Initial Exposure to Levetiracetam Levetiracetam can be initiated with either intravenous or oral administration. Partial-Onset Seizures In clinical trials of oral levetiracetam, daily doses of 1,000 mg, 2,000 mg, and 3,000 mg, given as twice-daily dosing, were shown to be effective. Although in some studies there was a tendency toward greater response with higher dose [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] , a consistent increase in response with increased dose has not been shown. Treatment should be initiated with a daily dose of 1,000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Additional dosing increments may be given (1,000 mg/day additional every 2 weeks) to a maximum recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg. Doses greater than 3,000 mg/day have been used in open-label studies with levetiracetam tablets for periods of 6 months and longer. There is no evidence that doses greater than 3,000 mg/day confer additional benefit. Myoclonic Seizures in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Treatment should be initiated with a dose of 1,000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Dosage should be increased by 1,000 mg/day every 2 weeks to the recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg. The effectiveness of doses lower than 3,000 mg/day has not been studied. Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Treatment should be initiated with a dose of 1,000 mg/day, given as twice-daily dosing (500 mg twice daily). Dosage should be increased by 1,000 mg/day every 2 weeks to the recommended daily dose of 3,000 mg. The effectiveness of doses lower than 3,000 mg/day has not been adequately studied. 2.3 Switching to Intravenous Dosing When switching from oral levetiracetam, the initial total daily intravenous dosage of levetiracetam should be equivalent to the total daily dosage and frequency of oral levetiracetam. 2.4 Switching to Oral Dosing At the end of the intravenous treatment period, the patient may be switched to levetiracetam oral administration at the equivalent daily dosage and frequency of the intravenous administration. 2.5 Adult Patients with Impaired Renal Function Levetiracetam dosing must be individualized according to the patient's renal function status. Recommended doses and adjustment for dose for adults are shown in Table 1 . To use this dosing table, an estimate of the patient's creatinine clearance (CLcr) in mL/min is needed. Table 1: Dosing Adjustment Regimen for Adult Patients with Impaired Renal Function 1 Following dialysis, a 250 mg to 500 mg supplemental dose is recommended. Group Creatinine Clearance (mL/min) Dosage (mg) Frequency Normal greater than 80 500 to 1,500 Every 12 hours Mild 50 to 80 500 to 1,000 Every 12 hours Moderate 30 to 50 250 to 750 Every 12 hours Severe less than 30 250 to 500 Every 12 hours ESRD patients using dialysis ---- 500 to 1,000 1 Every 24 hours 2.6 Compatibility with Other Antiepileptic Drugs Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is found to be physically compatible and chemically stable for at least 24 hours when mixed with lorazepam, diazepam, and valproate sodium and stored at controlled room temperature 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). There are no data to support the physical compatibility of levetiracetam injection with antiepileptic drugs that are not listed above. 2.7 Discontinuation of Levetiracetam Avoid abrupt withdrawal from levetiracetam in order to reduce the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )].

Levetiracetam in Sodium Chloride Injection is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to levetiracetam. Reactions have included anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Known hypersensitivity to levetiracetam; angioedema and anaphylaxis have occurred ( 4 )

The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in more details in other sections of labeling: Psychiatric Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Somnolence and Fatigue [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Anaphylaxis and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Serious Dermatological Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] Coordination Difficulties [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] Withdrawal Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Hematologic Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Seizure Control During Pregnancy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence in levetiracetam-treated patients is ≥5% more than in placebo-treated patients) include: somnolence, asthenia, infection, and dizziness ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sagent Pharmaceuticals at 1-866-625-1618 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The adverse reactions that result from levetiracetam injection use include all of those reported for levetiracetam tablets and oral solution. Equivalent doses of intravenous (IV) levetiracetam and oral levetiracetam result in equivalent C max , C min , and total systemic exposure to levetiracetam when the IV levetiracetam is administered as a 15-minute infusion. Partial-Onset Seizures In controlled clinical studies using levetiracetam tablets in adults with partial-onset seizures [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] , the most common adverse reactions in adult patients receiving levetiracetam in combination with other AEDs, for events with rates greater than placebo, were somnolence, asthenia, infection and dizziness. Of the most common adverse reactions in adults experiencing partial-onset seizures, asthenia, somnolence and dizziness occurred predominantly during the first 4 weeks of treatment with levetiracetam. Table 2 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 1% of adult epilepsy patients receiving levetiracetam tablets in placebo-controlled studies and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. In these studies, either levetiracetam or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in intensity. Table 2: Adverse Reactions* In Placebo-Controlled, Adjunctive Studies In Adults Experiencing Partial-Onset Seizures * Adverse reactions occurred in at least 1% of levetiracetam-treated patients and occurred more frequently than placebo-treated patients Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N=769) % Placebo (N=439) % Asthenia 15 9 Somnolence 15 8 Headache 14 13 Infection 13 8 Dizziness 9 4 Pain 7 6 Pharyngitis 6 4 Depression 4 2 Nervousness 4 2 Rhinitis 4 3 Anorexia 3 2 Ataxia 3 1 Vertigo 3 1 Amnesia 2 1 Anxiety 2 1 Cough Increased 2 1 Diplopia 2 1 Emotional Lability 2 0 Hostility 2 1 Paresthesia 2 1 Sinusitis 2 1 In controlled adult clinical studies using levetiracetam tablets, 15% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 12% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse reaction. Table 3 lists the most common (>1%) adverse reactions that resulted in discontinuation or dose reduction and that occurred more frequently in levetiracetam-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients. Table 3: Adverse Reactions that Resulted in Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in Placebo-Controlled Studies in Adults Experiencing Partial-Onset Seizures Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N=769) % Placebo (N=439) % Somnolence 4 2 Dizziness 1 0 Myoclonic Seizures Although the pattern of adverse reactions in this study seems somewhat different from that seen in patients with partial seizures, this is likely due to the much smaller number of patients in this study compared to partial seizure studies. The adverse reaction pattern for patients with JME is expected to be essentially the same as for patients with partial seizures. In the controlled clinical study using levetiracetam tablets in patients with myoclonic seizures, the most common adverse reactions in patients using levetiracetam in combination with other AEDs, for events with rates greater than placebo, were somnolence, neck pain, and pharyngitis. Table 4 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients experiencing myoclonic seizures treated with levetiracetam tablets and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. In this study, either levetiracetam or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in intensity. Table 4: Adverse Reactions* in a Placebo-Controlled, Adjunctive Study in Patients 12 Years of Age and Older with Myoclonic Seizures * Adverse reactions occurred in at least 5% of levetiracetam-treated patients and occurred more frequently than placebo-treated patients Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N=60) % Placebo (N=60) % Somnolence 12 2 Neck pain 8 2 Pharyngitis 7 0 Depression 5 2 Influenza 5 2 Vertigo 5 3 In the placebo-controlled study using levetiracetam tablets in patients with JME, 8% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 2% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction as a result of an adverse reaction. The adverse reactions that led to discontinuation or dose reduction and that occurred more frequently in levetiracetam-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients are presented in Table 5 . Table 5: Adverse Reactions that Resulted in Discontinuation or Dose Reduction in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N=60) % Placebo (N=60) % Anxiety 3 2 Depressed mood 2 0 Depression 2 0 Diplopia 2 0 Hypersomnia 2 0 Insomnia 2 0 Irritability 2 0 Nervousness 2 0 Somnolence 2 0 Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Although the pattern of adverse reactions in this study seems somewhat different from that seen in patients with partial seizures, this is likely due to the much smaller number of patients in this study compared to partial seizure studies. The adverse reaction pattern for patients with primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures is expected to be essentially the same as for patients with partial seizures. In the controlled clinical study that included patients with PGTC seizures, the most common adverse reaction in patients receiving levetiracetam oral formulation in combination with other AEDs, for events with rates greater than placebo was nasopharyngitis. Table 6 lists adverse reactions that occurred in at least 5% of idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients experiencing PGTC seizures treated with levetiracetam and were numerically more common than in patients treated with placebo. In this study, either levetiracetam or placebo was added to concurrent AED therapy. Table 6: Adverse Reactions* in a Placebo-Controlled, Adjunctive Study in Patients with PGTC Seizures * Adverse reactions occurred in at least 5% of levetiracetam-treated patients and occurred more frequently than placebo-treated patients Adverse Reaction Levetiracetam (N=79) % Placebo (N=84) % Nasopharyngitis 14 5 Fatigue 10 8 Diarrhea 8 7 Irritability 6 2 Mood swings 5 1 In the placebo-controlled study, 5% of patients receiving levetiracetam and 8% receiving placebo either discontinued or had a dose reduction during the treatment period as a result of an adverse reaction. This study was too small to adequately characterize the adverse reactions that could be expected to result in discontinuation of treatment in this population. It is expected that the adverse reactions that would lead to discontinuation in this population would be similar to those resulting in discontinuation in other epilepsy trials (see Tables 3 and 5 ). In addition, the following adverse reactions were seen in other controlled adult studies of levetiracetam: balance disorder, disturbance in attention, eczema, memory impairment, myalgia, and blurred vision. Comparison of Gender, Age and Race The overall adverse reaction profile of levetiracetam was similar between females and males. There are insufficient data to support a statement regarding the distribution of adverse reactions by age and race. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of levetiracetam. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. In addition to the adverse reactions listed above [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] , the following adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving marketed levetiracetam worldwide. The listing is alphabetized: abnormal liver function test, acute kidney injury, agranulocytosis, anaphylaxis, angioedema, choreoathetosis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), dyskinesia, erythema multiforme, hepatic failure, hepatitis, hyponatremia, muscular weakness, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), pancreatitis, pancytopenia (with bone marrow suppression identified in some of these cases), panic attack, thrombocytopenia, weight loss, and worsening of seizures including in patients with SCN8A mutations. Alopecia has been reported with levetiracetam use; recovery was observed in majority of cases where levetiracetam was discontinued.

16.2 Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Sterile, Nonpyrogenic, Preservative-free, PVC-free, DEHP-free. The container closure is not made with natural rubber latex.