• E Keppra^® IV Drip Infusion was developed to enable uninterrupted treatment of patients who temporarily become unable to swallow oral E Keppra^® formulations. Following tablets and dry syrup, this will be the third E Keppra^® dosage form available for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in epilepsy patients.
• About 1% of people worldwide have epilepsy, and its onset rate is particularly high among infants and the elderly. About 70% of patients can live seizure-free lives if they continuously take anti-epileptic drugs. Patients who are unable to take oral medications need injectable formulations as alternatives, and E Keppra^® IV Drip Infusion offers a new treatment option for these patients.
• The first oral E Keppra^® formulation (brand name outside Japan: Keppra^®), which was approved in Japan in 2010, has been used by more than 100,000 patients. E Keppra^® Injectable was approved in the US and Europe in 2006 and has received approval in more than 40 countries and regions.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and UCB Japan Co., Ltd. are pleased to announce that E Keppra^® for IV Drip Infusion 500 mg (levetiracetam) will be launched in Japan on December 1, 2015. Like its oral formulations, E Keppra^® IV Drip Infusion will be indicated for partial-onset seizures (including secondary generalized seizures) in epilepsy patients as a temporary alternative when they are unable to ingest oral formulations.