1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Side effects from Keppra?

Posted by annabcd @annabcd, Mar 6, 2023

This is about my husband. He started having seizure like episodes four months ago once or twice a month that lasted 5-20 minutes. After trying to convince doctors these weren't anxiety attacks they did an EEG which was interrupted by a seizure like episode. They immediately got him on Keppra without confirming epilepsy and since then he's been completely out of it, has memory loss, slurs his speech, uneven pupils sometimes and others he smells something burning, cough, panic, sees flashing lights and colors,loses contact with the environment and more. He has stopped taking it since Saturday morning and he's much more conscious but still had episodes mostly with his head hurting, panic, burning smell and getting super sleepy when this happens. Memory is getting better.

Does anyone know if all of these are normal as far as bad side effects of keppra go and if so when they will go away?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

smokry777 | @smokry777 | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @chercairns "@smokry777 can you tell me if Keppra made you have highs and lows to the extreme?..." + (show)
@chercairns

@smokry777 can you tell me if Keppra made you have highs and lows to the extreme? My sister started to take it because she had one seizure in 28 years. I really don’t think she needs it. Was on 500 mg I finally convinced her Dr to lower it in have. One minute she’s as happy as can be the next very irritated. She’s mentally delayed so hard for her to explain what she feels like. She also has been forgetting things which was one thing about her was her great memory. I don’t know how to sign up on here. Maybe you could help me. My name is Cher Cairns thank you 😊

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Only 1 seizure in 28 years? What type of epilepsy does she have? Is medication really needed. How old is she and does she have any other medical conditions? I need more information in order to try to answer your questions. Thanks, Brad

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Chris Gautier | @santosha | Mar 27, 2023
In reply to @lyhay1973 "Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to help deal with side..." + (show)
@lyhay1973

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to help deal with side effects of Keppra? My daughter was diagnosed with seizure disorder over a year ago. She was put on Keppra at 500mg twice a day. 4 months later she had another seizure the doctors upped her to 750mg twice a day. Since then she has been seizure free for over a year now. But she has been battling fatigue due to the medication. Some days are better than others, she said at times she feels like a zombie. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience this and if there was a way to counter act the side effect.Thank youLisa

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Hi @chercairns
I am very sorry about your sister. I can not help you much with Keppra as I have not taken it. But I am sure others will be able to help you with that.
As to signing up for Mayo Clinic Connect, on this page you can choose in which groups you want to participate.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/#ch-login-form
Did I answer your questions regarding signing up? If not, feel free to contact me.
Santosha

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salpal01 | @salpal01 | Mar 29, 2023
In reply to @lyhay1973 "Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to help deal with side..." + (show)
@lyhay1973

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to help deal with side effects of Keppra? My daughter was diagnosed with seizure disorder over a year ago. She was put on Keppra at 500mg twice a day. 4 months later she had another seizure the doctors upped her to 750mg twice a day. Since then she has been seizure free for over a year now. But she has been battling fatigue due to the medication. Some days are better than others, she said at times she feels like a zombie. I’m just wondering if anyone has experience this and if there was a way to counter act the side effect.Thank youLisa

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Keppra can interfer with your potassium levels. I had a blood test done and my levels were really low so I was put onto a potassium supplement and I feel brilliant.It took about a month to work but it has changed my life. I also suffer fron tinnitus.How do I get rid of that?

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keppraeffect | @keppraeffect | Oct 30, 2023

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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11 replies
Cher | @question7 | Oct 30, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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I'm not sure of cause, but I been taking Levetiracetam for years to prevent seizures and am now having trouble with very loose stools and MUCH MORE. Tests are now showing this drug has many serious side-effects. I am waiting for my appointment with a new neurologist to get off of this. One must slowly get off. DO NOT stop taking without doctors help. YOU MUST BE WEANED.

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lynda1992 | @lynda1992 | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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I experienced loose stools/diarrhea the entire time I was taking Keppra. And I was only taking half the prescribed dosage. Keppra is not the wonder drug that it's made out to be!

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keppraeffect | @keppraeffect | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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Thanks for responding Lynda, Any other problems with Keppra (I am using the generic).
I have had good luck with it except for loose stool, I have been taking it for 8 years (+-) and never really noticed that it may be the cause of the problem. Had some stress recently and it got worse....raging diarrhea.
I have been taking paxil for 20 years and thought it may be the problem. Went to my doctor and we decided I could do without paxil better than the keppra....so i started reducing my paxil. Big mistake....raging anxiety, sweats, chills, sleep problems. Started back on the paxil (higher dose) a little better today. Hopefully I can switch to a different anti-seizure under a nurologist suppervision? What are you using and has it been successful?

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keppraeffect | @keppraeffect | Oct 31, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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Thanks also Cher

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keppraeffect | @keppraeffect | Nov 6, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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Well....I thought it may be the keppra. However, I also take paxil and i thought it may be that. I went to me GP and he said, "Which one (paxil or keppra) do you think you can do without the best"? I said paxil....big mistake. I started tapering down from 20mg to 10 and then 5 within about 5 weeks. I Crashed!!! Massive depression and anxiety, couldn't sleep. Total diarrhea, not just loose stool. Went back to 20mg and then to 40mg before I got back to my GP. Today is first day of feeling a little normal. 10 days back on 40mg paxil. Hoping to taper back to 20mg and see how it goes. Then work on the keppra and loose stool.

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kirchoff79 | @kirchoff79 | Nov 10, 2023
In reply to @keppraeffect "Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?" + (show)
@keppraeffect

Anyone out there having loose stool or diarrhea from Levetiracetam ?

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I would not recommend Keppra due to it literally made me feel like I was losing my mind and after just 1 dose. I honestly believed that reality wasn't reality.
I have never had anything make me feel like that and only thing I could do was ride it out and I locked myself in my room till it wore off.
I didn't have any diarrhea tho

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