{"id":635392,"date":"2026-02-20T11:22:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=635392"},"modified":"2026-02-20T11:27:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:27:40","slug":"levetiracetam-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/levetiracetam-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Levetiracetam for dogs: Usage, safety, and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Levetiracetam<\/span><\/a> (also known by the brand name Keppra) is a prescription medication that\u2019s commonly used to control seizures in dogs. If your dog has been prescribed levetiracetam, you may be wondering how this medication works, what side effects to look for, safe dosages, and potential alternatives. This guide covers all of those questions and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is levetiracetam?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Levetiracetam is an <\/span>anticonvulsant<\/span><\/a> medication that\u2019s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat partial-onset seizures, myoclonic seizures, and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in humans. Levetiracetam is also used in veterinary medicine to treat seizures in dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough levetiracetam is not licensed by the FDA for use in animals, it is a part of standard seizure treatment by vets in the U.S.,\u201d says <\/span>Joe Suarez<\/span><\/a>, DVM, the Medical Director at Inspire Veterinary Partners at DeBary Animal Clinic in DeBary, Florida.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Levetiracetam is effective in dogs who don\u2019t respond to other types of seizure medications, and it\u2019s also sometimes prescribed in conjunction with other medications to improve overall seizure control. Dogs experience very few side effects while taking levetiracetam, and it tends to work quickly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How levetiracetam works in dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Epileptic dogs tend to have an overactive or \u201cexcitable\u201d nervous system. This doesn\u2019t mean they have anxious or nervous personalities. Instead, the hyperactivity happens at a molecular level. Their nerves sometimes fire off too many signals at once, which triggers a seizure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Levetiracetam decreases activity in the nervous system by <\/span>binding to a protein<\/span><\/a> called synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A, or SV2A. SV2A helps control when and how often neurotransmitters (molecules that send signals between nerve cells) are released. Neurotransmitters that are released too often can overload the nervous system, causing seizures.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, <\/span>dogs with seizures<\/span><\/a> have an imbalance of SV2A activity. By binding to some of the SV2A proteins, levetiracetam limits their overall activity and slows the release of neurotransmitters, which helps prevent seizures.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Levetiracetam also blocks some neurotransmitters from traveling through <\/span>N-type calcium channels<\/span><\/a>. Think of the calcium channel as a gate and levetiracetam as the gatekeeper. If too many neurotransmitters flow through the gate at once, it could trigger a seizure. Levetiracetam controls what gets through and when, which helps regulate overall\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to controlling seizures, levetiracetam may also help to <\/span>reduce inflammation and pain<\/span><\/a> and protect the nervous system against damage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to give your dog levetiracetam<\/span><\/h2>\n

Levetiracetam is sold in oral tablets. There are two versions: immediate release and extended release. It\u2019s important to know which kind your veterinarian has prescribed because it affects how you can give it to your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe immediate-release form of the drug can be crushed and mixed with food,\u201d Dr. Suarez says. \u201cThe extended-release tablets cannot be crushed or split, which limits their use to pets weighing more than 35 pounds.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Extended-release tablets are covered in a special coating that slows the medication\u2019s release. Crushing it removes this coating. Extended-release tablets are given two times a day, whereas immediate-release tablets are given three times a day.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, if you can\u2019t crush the extended-release pill and mix it with wet food, how can you give your dog levetiracetam? Many people hide whole tablets in a bit of food, like cheese, peanut butter, or bread, to get their dogs to swallow them willingly. However, some dogs have a special talent for eating the food and spitting out the tablet. In that case, your veterinarian may recommend trying a commercial product like Pill Pockets or a dispensing tool called a pill gun or pet piller.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If it\u2019s too difficult to get your dog to take an extended-release tablet, talk to your veterinarian about switching to an immediate-release tablet. Immediate-release tablets can be crushed and mixed with wet dog food, which may be easier for some dogs to eat. This form of levetiracetam can also be compounded into a flavorful liquid by a specialty pharmacy, allowing you to squirt it directly into your dog\u2019s mouth if needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do if you miss a dose of levetiracetam for your dog<\/span><\/h3>\n

Try to give levetiracetam at the same time every day. \u201cIf you miss a dose of the drug, give it to your pet as soon as you remember, then wait eight hours before giving the next dose. This will re-establish the three-times-a-day dosing,\u201d Dr. Suarez says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He recommends adhering to the eight-hour (for immediate-release tablets) or 12-hour (for extended-release tablets) interval as closely as possible. Levetiracetam has a short half-life of <\/span>about three hours<\/span><\/a>, which means it leaves your dog\u2019s system relatively quickly. Sticking to a strict dosing schedule is the only way to keep a therapeutic level of levetiracetam in your dog\u2019s system at all times. Talk to your dog\u2019s veterinarian if your schedule makes it difficult to give immediate-release tablets every eight hours.<\/span><\/p>\n

Levetiracetam dosage for dogs\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>recommended dosing<\/span><\/a> of levetiracetam for dogs is 20\u201360 mg of the immediate-release tablet per 1 kg of body weight every eight hours, or 30 mg of the extended-release tablet per 1 kg of body weight every 12 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Dr. Suarez said, dogs weighing less than 35 pounds should only take the immediate-release tablets because the extended-release tablets are often too large for them to swallow whole.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your veterinarian may adjust the dose based on how your dog responds to the medication. Do not adjust your dog\u2019s dose of levetiracetam without consulting a veterinarian.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a sample levetiracetam dosage for dogs by weight chart to help you understand the amount of medication your dog may need. Knowing the dosage can also help you calculate the total cost, which is covered later in this guide.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Levetiracetam dosage for dogs by weight chart<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Weight<\/b><\/td>\nImmediate release dose<\/b><\/td>\nExtended-release dose<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5 lbs\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n46\u2013138 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n136\u2013408 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n227\u2013680 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
35 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n317\u2013952 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n500 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
45 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n408\u20131,224 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n500 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
55 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n499\u20131,497 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n500 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
65 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n590\u20131,769 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,000 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
75 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n680\u20132,041 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,000 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
85 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n771\u20132,313 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,000 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
95 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n862\u20132,585 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,000 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
105 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n952\u20132,857 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,500 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
115 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n1,043\u20133,129 mg every 8 hours<\/span><\/td>\n1,500 mg every 12 hours<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How long does levetiracetam take to work in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cLevetiracetam is a fast-acting medication,\u201d says <\/span>Chyrle Bonk<\/span><\/a>, a veterinarian based in Orofino, Idaho. \u201cWhen given orally, it\u2019s rapidly absorbed, reaching effective levels within an hour or two. It will only remain in the body for about 24 hours.\u201d It may take days or weeks of consistent dosing to get the best results.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Bonk says levetiracetam tablets can also be given rectally to stop seizures in real time, and a <\/span>small study<\/span><\/a> confirms that levetiracetam works within 10 minutes when given rectally. However, results can vary, and you should discuss this option with your veterinarian. Levetiracetam side effects for dogs<\/span><\/p>\n

Levetiracetam side effects are rare in dogs. According to Dr. Bonk, common side effects of levetiracetam, like discoordination or drowsiness, tend to occur when a dog first starts the medication and may indicate that the dose is too high.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVomiting and diarrhea may also be side effects that could be severe, and your veterinarian may recommend routine blood work to monitor your dog\u2019s organ function every three to six months.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other adverse effects <\/span>reported in dogs<\/span><\/a> include excessive thirst, excessive urination, and poor appetite.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When to call the vet about levetiracetam side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

Call your vet if you notice your dog isn\u2019t eating while taking levetiracetam, as this could lead to weight loss and other health concerns. Repeated bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration and are also cause for concern. Your vet may prescribe an add-on medication to control these symptoms, or they may recommend an alternative to levetiracetam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell your vet about any and all seizures your dog experiences while taking levetiracetam so they can adjust the dose as needed. Some dogs eventually <\/span>develop a tolerance<\/span><\/a> to levetiracetam, so it may be necessary to switch to another medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety tips for giving levetiracetam to dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n