Medication

Medicines notification: Keppra 500mg film-coated tablets update

MEDICINE UPDATE: Following the announcement on 15 May by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that there was an error relating to the Braille printed on the cartons of 500mg film-coated Keppra, Epilepsy Scotland was concerned that MHRA did not initially order a recall of all affected packs.

On the 16th of May, Epilepsy Scotland co-signed a letter to MHRA with Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans regarding our joint concerns about packs of Keppra with wrong Braille remaining in circulation to be dispensed in the future. This letter called for all affected packs to be recalled immediately.

We are pleased to see that MHRA have responded to the concerns raised on this issue and they have now announced a pharmacy and wholesaler recall of the affected packets.

Information on the MHRA recall can be found here: medicines notification.

 

Advice for patients

No further action is required by patients as this is a Pharmacy and Wholesaler level recall.

Specific batches of Keppra 500mg film-coated tablets have an incorrect strength printed in Braille on the outer pack, it reads 1000mg instead of 500mg.

The pack contains 500mg tablets as prescribed and quality of the medicine itself is not affected by this defect.

Patients are reminded to take the tablets as per the instructions from your healthcare professional and those found on the dispensing label.

If there are any concerns, consult with your healthcare professional. Never stop taking medicines such as Keppra without medical advice.

Suddenly stopping an epilepsy medicine may cause your seizures to start again or happen more often or last longer than before.