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?

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carol65 | @carol65 | 2 hours ago

I had to stop keppra. Bad side effects. I now take lamotrogine. Get a good neurologist. If yours isn’t listening get a different one. Get one that specializes in seizures. I do not have epilepsy it have. Seizure disorder.

methel | @methel | 23 hours ago

In reply to @lisalucier "@methel - that sounds like great news. Do you mean since you been on levetiracetam (Keppra),..." + (show)

@lisalucier

And yes, the heavy dose seems to be necessary. As the Keppra dose increased, the severity of the seizures decreased. The first seizure generalized and I woke up on the floor. The last seizure, just the left half of my tongue vibrated. (I can’t replicate that consciously. ) And the difference in seizure intensity seems to be the amount of Keppra needed to get control.

methel | @methel | 23 hours ago

In reply to @lisalucier "@methel - that sounds like great news. Do you mean since you been on levetiracetam (Keppra),..." + (show)

@lisalucier

I take a heavy dose of Keppra extended release, 1500 mg 2x a day. At the beginning of this, (after the meningioma, stroke, surgery which started the seizures) I would have an occasional seizure when the medication was wearing off, just before the next scheduled dose. But the switch to extended release ( recommended by the phlebotomist) apparently evened out the med’s so that I didn’t get the ‘dip’ and my last seizure (knock on wood) was in 2017.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 1 day ago

In reply to @methel "@sunny18 I’ve been on Keppra extended release for years with success. I’ve had no possible side..." + (show)

@methel - that sounds like great news. Do you mean since you been on levetiracetam (Keppra), you've had no seizures?

methel | @methel | 1 day ago

In reply to @sunny18 "I was diagnosed with simple seizures about 8 years ago in the ER. I did not..." + (show)

@sunny18

I’ve been on Keppra extended release for years with success. I’ve had no possible side effects. except I sleep a little more than I used to.

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | 2 days ago

In reply to @sunny18 "I was diagnosed with simple seizures about 8 years ago in the ER. I did not..." + (show)

@sunny18
Vitamin B6 helps some people with anger and aggression issues caused by Keppra. Ask your doctor about it.
Jake

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 2 days ago

In reply to @sunny18 "I was diagnosed with simple seizures about 8 years ago in the ER. I did not..." + (show)

Hi @sunny18 - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could talk with others who have taken levetiracetam (Keppra) or been around a friend or family member who took it and can speak to experiencing agitation with this medication.

- Side effects from Keppra? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-know-if-intense-keppra-side-effects-are-normal/

Please meet @keppraeffect @hippele @royanthony @gratefulbob and others in this discussion.

Were you saying, sunny18, that you are still struggling with the diagnosis? If so, will you share a bit more about that?

sunny18 | @sunny18 | 2 days ago

I was diagnosed with simple seizures about 8 years ago in the ER. I did not have any previous seizures or symptoms previously but due to the MRI showing a arachnoid cyst and a problem with my speech I was placed on a generic Keppra 750 mg bid but is still struggling with the diagnosis and the medication. Has anyone else experienced major agitation with this medication?

kb2014 | @kb2014 | Jul 11 11:02pm

In reply to @pscholes10 "I’m taking Keppra 1000 mg twice daily since February prior to a craniotomy and possible focal..." + (show)

Please be careful. Stopping an AED increases your risk of seizure activity over time. You have had 2 craniotomies? I had one in May 2014. My eeg shows a breach rhythm which is non epileptic but abnormal. My neuroligist said he felt I could taper off my topirimate. I said no. Now I take lamotrigine ER 100mg daily. Did your doctor give you a printed schedule for reducing your dose? I have remained seizure free since 2014. To me that is a gift I will guard forever.

rubyredkate | @rubyredkate | Jul 10 1:00pm

Im so frustrated just reading about your experiences. Fire your doctor! i know depending on where u live a competent expert may be hard to find. But i left my GP for lack of knowledge or care about my symptoms. I now have zoom appointments with two experts in the fields i need, I feel seen and heard. We don’t need in person as often as we think.
I wish u all the best in life.