CAS 103765-01-1: UCB-L 060

Levetiracetam impurity D CRS

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug that belongs to the class of drugs known as pyrrolidone derivatives. It is approved for the treatment of partial seizures, myoclonic seizures, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Levetiracetam binds to synaptic vesicle protein 2A at the same site as levetiracetam and prevents the release of neurotransmitters from nerve cells. This binding leads to neuronal death by inhibiting mitochondrial functions and reducing neuronal excitability by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels. Levetiracetam has been shown to have a concentration-time curve that is similar to intravenous anaesthetics in animal models. This drug also has a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that can detect whether levetiracetam is present in urine samples; this test can be used as an aid in forensic investigations.

Impurity Levetiracetam EP Impurity D Applications (R)-Levetiracetam [REV] (Levetiracetam EP Impurity D), is the enantiomer to Levetiracetam [LEV] (L331500), the antiepileptic drug that is highly enantioselective. It is apparent that [LEV] is more potent than [REV] in terms of antiepileptic potency. References Isoherranen, N. et al.: Epilepsia, 42, 825 (2001); Isoherranen, N. et al.: Epilepsia, 44, 1280 (2003);