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 | Jan 1 7:45am

In reply to @motobee "I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions." + (show)

I started on keppra with seizures but developed what they called functional tremors-my body was like the balloon guy at the used car lot! I don’t know how that is functional! I certainly wasn’t! So now I am on lacosiminde and very happy with it. And doing well controlling all seizure activity

royanthony | @royanthony | Jan 1 4:25pm

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @royanthony - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing your experience with taking levetiracetam..." + (show)

Sorry Lisa, I accidentally did not responded to your question directed to me. But please see my answer above which provides you with more clarity and confirms that I have worked with my GP. However, I welcome any comments, suggestions from you in the future. Thanks for your interest and I wish you a safe and healthy New Year.

hippele | @hippele | Feb 16 9:22am

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

I have been taking levetiracetam (keppra) for a year and a half and have had diarrhea the whole time. I would like to get off these pills but the doctor said after 2yrs of no seizures. Life goes on....
ray hippele

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Feb 17 12:33am

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

@hippele
Although seizure control is our ultimate goal, if your diarrhea hasn't resolved in a year and a half I would think your doctor would either try lowering your medication dose or changing your medicine.
What type of seizures did you have? What dose of Keppra do you take? Is your doctor refusing to change your Keppra to something else?
Jake

hippele | @hippele | Feb 17 6:51am

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@hippele Although seizure control is our ultimate goal, if your diarrhea hasn't resolved in a year..." + (show)

I had a grand mal, first ever, a year and a half ago and a minor seizure 9 months ago at 70yrs old. Started off on 500mg 2xday but I reduced it to 250mg 2xday. Doctors would like me to stay on 500, I decided to reduce. Still have diarrhea but doctor didn't really say to much about it. Thanks

keppraeffect | @keppraeffect | Feb 17 9:36am

In reply to @hippele "I had a grand mal, first ever, a year and a half ago and a minor..." + (show)

I have had good success with keppra except loose stool. I found out that my extreme dirrhea was cause by stress and paxil not working anymore. Still dealing with that (paxil) not working but diarrhea is not a big issue currently.

Chris Gautier | @santosha | Feb 17 8:01pm

In reply to @hippele "I had a grand mal, first ever, a year and a half ago and a minor..." + (show)

Hi @hippele
I also had diarrhea when my Keppra dosage was higher. But after several dosage reductions it stopped. I take 200 mg in the morning and 150 mg in the evening right now together with my CBD. I hope my doctor will continue reducing it, as I am still having several gastrointestinal issues with this AED.
See if your doctor can reduce the dosage once more.
Do you have any other side-effects?
Chris (@santosha)

Chris Gautier | @santosha | Feb 18 4:27am

In reply to @santosha "Hi @hippele I also had diarrhea when my Keppra dosage was higher. But after several dosage..." + (show)

More and more I see how important the fine-tuning process of an AED by the doctor is, coming to a dosage that brings you more benefits than harms. Just remembering the words of my doctor: Every human being is unique!!!

hippele | @hippele | Feb 18 8:04am

In reply to @santosha "Hi @hippele I also had diarrhea when my Keppra dosage was higher. But after several dosage..." + (show)

thanks for the reply. No other side effects. I believe I asked either the pharmacist or doctor and they told me the lowest pill was 250mg. Are you buying 200ml and 150ml pills or are you splitting them??
Doctors can suggest anything they want but the patient has the final decision. I decided to reduce to 250ml while my doctor wants me on 500ml. I am also going to reduce further and do 125ml in the am and then 250ml in the evening. Am I taking a chance I will have another seizure?....possibly but I think analyzing my situation I am willing to take that chance to lower or get off these pills. Thanks! God Bless....

Chris Gautier | @santosha | Feb 18 5:01pm

In reply to @hippele "thanks for the reply. No other side effects. I believe I asked either the pharmacist or..." + (show)

Hi @hippele
Thank God you are not having other side effects with Keppra!!!
Indeed, the lowest pill of Keppra is 250 mg. I am now on the oral version of Keppra, in which my doctor can reduce my dosage below 250 mg and change it more easily.
I started on Keppra last December at 500 mg while I was at the ER. I also had much diarrhea alternated with constipation and many other side-effects. My doctor has been reducing my dosage little by little and with all care and safety. This last weekend I repeated my EEG so that he can evaluate with safety if it is possible to reduce even more my dosage. He has been doing a great fine-tuning process.
As your diarrhea is recurrent it is important to see with your doctor what can be done to reduce this symptom. As we know diarrhea can cause dehydration and nutritional deficiencies. Perhaps through a specific diet recommended by your doctor, you could reduce this diarrhea and correct eventual nutritional deficiencies observed in blood exams through supplements.
@hippele please do not reduce those medications by yourself, this can be very dangerous. Always do it together with a doctor. If you are not very satisfied with your current doctor, check for a second opinion, preferably with an epileptologist rather than just a neurologist. The Epilepsy Foundation has a great 24/7 helpline and can help you to find an epileptologist in your region. Here is the link: https://www.epilepsy.com/247-helpline.
Stay safe!
Chris (@santosha)