What is xeticam used for? A guide to its epilepsy treatment

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, finding the right medication is a crucial step in managing seizures. As a brand name for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam, what is xeticam used for? It is an anticonvulsant prescribed to control various types of seizures, including partial-onset, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with epilepsy.

Quick Summary

Xeticam, containing the active ingredient levetiracetam, is an anticonvulsant medication that treats multiple types of seizures in epilepsy, including partial-onset, myoclonic, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It works by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain to reduce seizure frequency.

Key Points

Epilepsy Treatment: Xeticam, a brand of levetiracetam, is an anticonvulsant used to treat various types of seizures.
Mechanism of Action: It primarily works by binding to a protein in the brain (SV2A) to stabilize electrical activity and reduce seizures.
Specific Seizure Types: It is effective for partial-onset seizures, myoclonic seizures, and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
Dosage Forms and Administration: Xeticam is available as tablets, oral solution, and an intravenous injection, with dosing individualized by a doctor.
Important Precautions: Patients should be monitored for side effects, including mood changes and fatigue, and the medication must not be stopped abruptly to prevent withdrawal seizures.
Pediatric Use: It is approved for use in infants and children for certain types of epilepsy, with weight-based dosing.
Potential for Mental Health Effects: Patients should be monitored for unusual changes in behavior, mood, or thoughts of suicide.

What is Xeticam? The Medication Explained

Xeticam is a brand name for the generic drug levetiracetam, an antiepileptic medication used to treat and manage seizures associated with epilepsy. It is part of a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, and it is available in several formulations, including tablets, oral solutions, and an intravenous (IV) injection. The IV form is used as a temporary alternative for patients when oral administration is not possible. Unlike many older anti-epileptic drugs, levetiracetam is structurally and mechanistically unique, offering a favorable therapeutic profile for many patients. It is widely used in both adults and children to help control the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that leads to seizures.

Primary Indications and Uses of Xeticam

The indications for Xeticam (levetiracetam) cover a broad spectrum of epilepsy types across different age groups. The specific use depends on the patient's condition and the type of seizure being treated.

Partial-Onset Seizures: This is one of the most common indications for Xeticam. It is used as an add-on therapy for partial-onset seizures in adults, children, and even infants as young as one month of age. In some cases, it may also be used as monotherapy (alone) for newly diagnosed epilepsy in adults and adolescents aged 16 and older.

Myoclonic Seizures: Xeticam is indicated for the treatment of myoclonic seizures that occur in individuals with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME). In these cases, it is used as an adjunctive (add-on) therapy for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older.

Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures: For patients with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE), Xeticam can be used as an add-on treatment for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. This indication is approved for adults and adolescents aged 6 years and older.

How Xeticam Works: Mechanism of Action

Levetiracetam's mechanism of action is distinct from other antiepileptic medications. While its exact workings are not fully defined, the most relevant and accepted theory points to its binding with the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A).

Binding to SV2A: This protein is found on the membranes of synaptic vesicles, which are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters. By binding to SV2A, levetiracetam appears to modulate the release of these neurotransmitters.
Stabilizing Brain Activity: This modulation of neurotransmitter release helps to stabilize and calm abnormal electrical activity in the brain without affecting normal neurotransmission. This unique mode of action explains why levetiracetam has a wider therapeutic index and fewer drug interactions compared to other anticonvulsants.

Dosage, Administration, and Important Considerations

The correct dosage of Xeticam is determined by a healthcare provider and is based on a patient's age, weight, and the specific type of seizure being treated.

Forms of Medication: Xeticam is available in immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and an oral solution. An intravenous formulation is also available for hospitalized patients.
Administration: The tablets can be taken with or without food. Immediate-release and oral solution are typically taken twice a day, while extended-release tablets are taken once daily. It is critical to take the medication exactly as prescribed and not to stop taking it abruptly, as this can worsen seizures.
Gradual Discontinuation: When ending treatment, the dosage should be tapered gradually under a doctor's supervision to reduce the risk of withdrawal seizures.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

Like all medications, Xeticam can cause side effects. Patients should discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.

Common Side Effects: Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, and irritability are frequently reported, especially during the initial weeks of treatment.
Behavioral Changes: Some patients, particularly children, may experience mood and behavioral changes, including agitation, aggression, anxiety, or depression. The medication carries a warning about a potential increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Serious Reactions: Rare but serious adverse reactions, such as serious skin conditions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, DRESS), and anaphylaxis, have been reported.
Coordination Difficulties: Some patients may experience problems with coordination or balance (ataxia).
Renal Function: The dosage may need adjustment for patients with kidney problems, as levetiracetam is cleared by the kidneys.

Comparing Xeticam Treatment Indications

To provide clarity on its use, the table below outlines the primary indications for Xeticam (levetiracetam) and the typical age groups for which it is prescribed, based on clinical data.


Seizure Type	Indication	Patient Age	Typical Use	Notes
Partial-Onset Seizures	Adjunctive therapy	1 month of age and older	With other AEDs	Also approved as monotherapy for newly diagnosed epilepsy in older adolescents and adults.
Myoclonic Seizures (JME)	Adjunctive therapy	12 years of age and older	With other AEDs	Specifically for Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.
Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures (IGE)	Adjunctive therapy	6 years of age and older	With other AEDs	For Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy.

Conclusion: Navigating Xeticam for Seizure Management

Xeticam, known generically as levetiracetam, is a widely prescribed and effective anticonvulsant medication for controlling various types of seizures in both adults and children. Its unique mechanism of action, involving the modulation of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), helps stabilize neuronal activity and reduce seizure frequency. The appropriate use of Xeticam depends on the patient's specific seizure type, and it can be used either alone or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs.

While generally well-tolerated, it is crucial to be aware of potential side effects, especially regarding mood and behavioral changes, and to inform your doctor of any unusual symptoms. Always follow a healthcare provider's instructions for dosage and discontinuation to ensure safety and effectiveness. By understanding what is xeticam used for and its pharmacological properties, patients can work with their doctors to make informed decisions about their epilepsy treatment plans.

For more detailed information, consult the official prescribing information for levetiracetam.

Frequently Asked Questions

The generic name for the brand medication Xeticam is levetiracetam.

Xeticam (levetiracetam) is used to treat partial-onset seizures, myoclonic seizures associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Yes, Xeticam is indicated for use in children and adolescents for different seizure types, with the minimum age depending on the specific condition being treated.

Xeticam works by binding to a synaptic vesicle protein in the brain, SV2A, which helps to modulate the release of neurotransmitters and stabilize electrical activity.

Common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, irritability, and nasal congestion.

Serious side effects, though rare, can include behavioral changes, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, allergic reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and coordination difficulties.

No, you should not stop taking Xeticam abruptly. Discontinuation should be done gradually under a doctor's supervision to minimize the risk of increased seizure frequency.

Xeticam can cause drowsiness and dizziness. Patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery until they understand how the medication affects them.

Yes, because the body clears levetiracetam primarily through the kidneys, dosage adjustments may be necessary for patients with impaired renal function.