Levetiracetam — Antiepileptic (SV2A ligand). Study the mechanism, listed uses and warnings from the US label on one sourced card.
Generic name
Levetiracetam
Class
Antiepileptic (SV2A ligand)
Mechanism
The precise antiepileptic mechanism is unknown. Experimental data identify a binding site as synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, thought to regulate vesicle exocytosis; interaction with SV2A may contribute to the antiepileptic effect.
Used for
Partial-onset seizures from age 1 month; Adjunctive treatment of myoclonic seizures in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy from age 12; Adjunctive treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalized epilepsy from age 6
Behavioral abnormalities / psychotic symptoms; Suicidal behavior and ideation; Withdrawal seizures if stopped abruptly
Brand questions use only name pairings verified against the linked product source. Unverified pairings are withheld from these questions; the other study content remains available.
Label date: 20260904 · For learning, not clinical decisions. US label and brand information; always consult the current source.
Source snapshot checked: 2026-10-21. The source document and selected fields were compared. The complete card has not had an independent clinical review.
Mechanism: The exact analgesic and antiepileptic mechanisms are unknown. Gabapentin is structurally related to GABA but does not affect its binding, uptake or degradation. It binds the alpha-2-delta calcium-channel subunit in vitro; the relevance to therapeutic effects is unknown.
On both cards: Common side effects — Somnolence; Dizziness · Warnings — Suicidal behavior and ideation
Only on the Gabapentin card: Used for — Postherpetic neuralgia in adults; Adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged 3 or older · Common side effects — Peripheral edema; Ataxia; Fatigue · Warnings — DRESS (multiorgan hypersensitivity); Respiratory depression with CNS depressants
Mechanism: Binds with high affinity to the alpha-2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in CNS tissue; exact mechanism not fully known.
On both cards: Common side effects — Somnolence; Dizziness
Only on the Pregabalin card: Used for — Diabetic peripheral-neuropathy pain in adults; Postherpetic neuralgia in adults; Adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures from age 1 month; Fibromyalgia in adults; Spinal-cord-injury neuropathic pain in adults · Common side effects — Dry mouth; Edema; Blurred vision · Warnings — Angioedema; Suicidal thoughts or behavior; Respiratory depression with CNS depressants
Mechanism: Presumed to treat migraine by binding 5-HT1B/1D receptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves of the trigeminal system.
On both cards: Common side effects — Somnolence; Dizziness
Only on the Rizatriptan card: Used for — Acute migraine with or without aura in adults and children aged 6–17 after a clear migraine diagnosis; not migraine prevention · Common side effects — Asthenia / fatigue; Pain / pressure sensation · Warnings — Myocardial ischemia / infarction, Prinzmetal's angina; Stroke and cerebral hemorrhage; Serotonin syndrome
An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.
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