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?

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hippele | @hippele | Feb 19 9:58am
In reply to @santosha "Hi @hippele Thank God you are not having other side effects with Keppra!!! Indeed, the lowest..." + (show)
@santosha

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)

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My EEG was negative after my seizure and just had a followup ordered from my doctor which was also negative. I get diarrhea first thing in morning and sometimes twice within a hour or two. So, I am retaining all the nutrients over a 24hr period so I am not worried about nutritional deficiencies. There is a tremendous amount not known about seizures. Doctors can only throw darts and hope that a "pill" can help you. And of course, every pill has a poison in it. The patient has to decide if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (poison). In my case, having diarrhea and no other side effects is acceptable to me at this point but would still like to lessen my dosage and if no effect, eventually get off the pills with my doctors blessing. God Bless!!

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1 reply
methel | @methel | Feb 19 9:18pm
In reply to @hippele "My EEG was negative after my seizure and just had a followup ordered from my doctor..." + (show)
@hippele

My EEG was negative after my seizure and just had a followup ordered from my doctor which was also negative. I get diarrhea first thing in morning and sometimes twice within a hour or two. So, I am retaining all the nutrients over a 24hr period so I am not worried about nutritional deficiencies. There is a tremendous amount not known about seizures. Doctors can only throw darts and hope that a "pill" can help you. And of course, every pill has a poison in it. The patient has to decide if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages (poison). In my case, having diarrhea and no other side effects is acceptable to me at this point but would still like to lessen my dosage and if no effect, eventually get off the pills with my doctors blessing. God Bless!!

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No diarrhea or gastrointestinal problems with extended release Keppra. But I seem to be sleeping a bit more. I’m ok with that because the med’s control my seizures so well.

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kb2014 | @kb2014 | Feb 19 10:44pm
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 take lamotrigine 75mg twice daily. My gallbladder was removed in 2014 but all AEDs can cause diarrhea and constipation. I have been on an AED since may 2014. I have alternating dusrthea and constipation so I requested a dose reduction from neurologist. Went from 100mg twice daily to 75mg twice daily. I am working on my diet too. Spicy food has to go. I am just now seeing meditation for GI issues helps. I need to reduce my diet soda intake more because caffeine i think is an issue. I may have to discuss a further reduction on dosage of lsmotrigine.

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dnj | @dnj | Mar 5 11:50pm
In reply to @motobee "I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions." + (show)
@motobee

I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions.

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I was put on Keppra because I had a diabetic seizure. Never had one before but my blood sugar has never been that high. I was taken off of Metformin due to upcoming cataract surgery and another doctor put me on prednisone because of a lung infection. Therefore my blood sugar spiked. Getting my blood sugar down but this 500 mg 2x day Keppra is giving me fits. Sleepiness, fatigue, backache, hard to walk. Neurologist is putting me on Keppra XR 750 1x day. Looks like it had the same side effects. Your thoughts

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tonyde | @tonyde | Mar 6 9:45am
In reply to @motobee "I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions." + (show)
@motobee

I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions.

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Have you seen an endocrinologist? Do you use a Dexom continuous glucose monitor? My wife has been type 1 diabetic for 60 years, she's had a few bad seizures caused by low blood sugar. Her "secret" to avoiding seizures is blood sugar control through diet and physical activity. I fail to see how Keepra helps.

You don't have a seizure disorder, you may have a poor medical advice disorder. I suggest you get a second opinion. Keep in mind, suddenly stopping seziure medication can bring on a seizure regardless of why you've been taking it.

BTW, I take Keepra for epilepsy, that medication can be challenging. my advice is to avoid it if at all possible.

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1 reply
motobee | @motobee | Mar 6 7:47pm
In reply to @tonyde "Have you seen an endocrinologist? Do you use a Dexom continuous glucose monitor? My wife has..." + (show)
@tonyde

Have you seen an endocrinologist? Do you use a Dexom continuous glucose monitor? My wife has been type 1 diabetic for 60 years, she's had a few bad seizures caused by low blood sugar. Her "secret" to avoiding seizures is blood sugar control through diet and physical activity. I fail to see how Keepra helps.

You don't have a seizure disorder, you may have a poor medical advice disorder. I suggest you get a second opinion. Keep in mind, suddenly stopping seziure medication can bring on a seizure regardless of why you've been taking it.

BTW, I take Keepra for epilepsy, that medication can be challenging. my advice is to avoid it if at all possible.

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Thank you , First time on Keppra for a tonic colonic seizure from out of no where... Please tell me what you mean by taking Keppra can be challenging ???? If I went off it I might have another seizure..

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2 replies
motobee | @motobee | Mar 6 7:58pm
In reply to @royanthony "Yes. I have had to work with my GP who's prescribed Zolpidem ER, which is not..." + (show)
@royanthony

Yes. I have had to work with my GP who's prescribed Zolpidem ER, which is not as good as the name brand, Ambien. Insurance won't cover the cost. I've added an over the counter melatonin chewable tablet to the Zolpidem and that has worked great. Fast REM sleep, but I get only a maximum 6 hours and then I wake up, eat breakfast and go back to sleep for a couple hours. I really want off of the prescription med.

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I take Zopiclone for sleep--- it that different than what you take... the brand name is Imovane.
Do you recommend my taking a melatonin chewable along with my Imovane as you say it helps a bit more.I know what you mean about prescription meds. but what else can we do when issues arise..??? thanks.

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2 replies
royanthony | @royanthony | Mar 6 8:14pm
In reply to @motobee "I take Zopiclone for sleep--- it that different than what you take... the brand name is..." + (show)
@motobee

I take Zopiclone for sleep--- it that different than what you take... the brand name is Imovane.
Do you recommend my taking a melatonin chewable along with my Imovane as you say it helps a bit more.I know what you mean about prescription meds. but what else can we do when issues arise..??? thanks.

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I take ZolpidemXR which is the generic of Ambien with the 1 chewable. Sorry, but I'm not a doctor and I can't recommend even a chewable type thing. There may be something in the chewable that may conflict with your particular medication. I appreciate your confidence in me to even ask my opinion. Very nice. Feel free to ask any further questions.

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1 reply
motobee | @motobee | Mar 6 8:50pm
In reply to @royanthony "I take ZolpidemXR which is the generic of Ambien with the 1 chewable. Sorry, but I'm..." + (show)
@royanthony

I take ZolpidemXR which is the generic of Ambien with the 1 chewable. Sorry, but I'm not a doctor and I can't recommend even a chewable type thing. There may be something in the chewable that may conflict with your particular medication. I appreciate your confidence in me to even ask my opinion. Very nice. Feel free to ask any further questions.

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Of course you're right... thanks for returning my message. I will ask my Dr. ..

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steph81 | @steph81 | Mar 6 9:06pm
In reply to @motobee "I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions." + (show)
@motobee

I take Keppra twice a day and so far no negative reactions.

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I tried to take it twice but it turned me into the hulk. Raged and angry. Mad for no reason. Finding the right drugs is like a game.

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