My wife is 56 years old. She takes Vimpat 50 mg (3 times daily) and Keppra 500 mg once a day to control her epilepsy. The auras/seizures are completely under control but she is experiencing severe memory problems. As an example she sometimes cannot remember something I had told her fifteen minutes before. Has anyone experienced this kind of severe short term memory loss from combining these two drugs? The strange thing is that she often seems unaware of how much she is forgetting. If anyone has had a similar experience from combining Vimpat and Keppra and has a suggestion for us or has switched to another drug that took care of the memory loss issue we would greatly appreciate the help.
Does using Vimpat and Keppra together causes severe short term memory loss?
Question posted by Vimpatuser on 21 Oct 2012
Last updated on 12 January 2023 by Apoch
7 Answers
I'm on 3000 mg Keppra & 200 mg lacosamide(generic vimpat) per day & no memory problems at all!
I have been on Keppra 1000 mg, Lamictal 350 mg, and Topamax 400 mg daily. My memory was sort of skipping on certain small events. However, I put myself through 12 years of college and it was a pain in the rear. I had to WRITE EVERYTHING down, when I was in class, lectures, and study groups. I still made it through those tough years. I am 52 years old now and my doctor tells me that I am one of his few patients that have very limited memory loss. He also said that memory loss could just be of my age, not the amount of Keppra. I really like this drug because it helped control major gran mal seizures and helped me get back to school and back to work. I am now, a Criminologist and teach Criminal Justice classes at UT. I would really take this issue up with your own Neurologist because only they really know your medical past and present.
I'm on 200 mg vimpat twice a day, 500 mg Keppra twice a day, and 600 mg Trileptal twice a day. and 300 mg Dilantin Xr at bedtime only. I been taking this for about A yr now. I have short term memory loss and I also have sever seizures but that is my only side effect. I take a nap for 1 to 2 hrs a day around noon but im not sure if its the meds or just sitting around the house.
I was on Keppra 500 mg 2 x day with Vimpat 200 mg 2x day for 6 years and I have severe short term memory loss, just as your wife. I no longer take Keppra as the side affects were worse . I noticed after several months an improvement. Vimpat is the main Rx I take for my seizures. I am a 63 year old female.
Hi, I have been on KEPPRA for more than 12 years. And Lamictal for about 10. I have been having Seizures since I was 12, onset was with Auras at 8. They still have not found out the cause of my Seizures.
But I Digress, I have been going with multiple medications since I was 12.
And So I Say To You, What My Dr. Has Told Me Yes! KEPPRA taken on a lerm basis can Cause Short Term Memory Loss. I am Sorry for that. There are always Pros-and Cons with Drugs and this is one of Them.
The Drug is a Good Drug that is Why I have been on it so Long. I had to Learn to Cope with my surroundings. And Write things Down as they Happen!
It is a Lifestyle Change!
But The Drug Works, Trust Me
Be Patient.
Good Luck!!
Well, I have been taking Keppra for YEARS, and I started taking Vimpat along with it Sept of 2011. Thing is my memory has slowly deteriorated over the years even before I got on Vimpat. I am only 41 and I can't seem to remember words to song that I listen to on regular basis, a movie I watched a month ago, passwords I need for accounts, etc. It is scaring the mess out of me especially as it affects my abilities at work. Now whether or not it has gotten worse since I started the Vimpat, I have no idea... I CAN'T REMEMBER. The thing is, my neurologist is now taking me off Keppra slowly. He has told me that a lot of his patients have been doing good with just Vimpat. I went done on Keppra 1000mg and went up on Vimpat 100mg so far in 3 weeks and have had no problems with auras of seizures. So, thing about getting off the Keppra slowly and talk to your doctor about it.
If BOTH medications cause memory loss, then getting off one will hopefully help with giving you a stronger memory. I don't like Keppra because it makes me irriatable, sleepy and moody. This is why I want to try to get totally off of it. Hope it all goes well. Memory loss is a very scary thing!!
I got diagnosed with brain cancer at age 31, thus leaving me with focal seizures (not going unconscience) After many different seizure drugs tried, the best one was Kepra, however left me with the same side effects you have. I am 41 now also. Before I took Kepra my short term memory was awful, causing me to ask questions to things I had asked 5 minutes earlier. I can certainly relate to your side effects!!! I am currently being weened off Kepra to Vimpat. Anyway, good luck with you. I had all your symptoms with Kepra, It's nice to see someone I can relate to regarding this issue! I'm taking 1000mg 2x a day & 250mg. at night. Hopefully this helps me get back to normal by getting off the Kepra. I hope this helps!
I started taking Lacosamide, 200mg twice a day along with Keppra and Trileptal. Since I'm taking Lacosamide I'm also starting to have memory loss. I'm having almost the same issues as you have working and songs wise (I'm concern more about songs that work... ).
I'm just wondering if my memory will be back once Lacosamide will be take out.
Interactions between your selected drugs
No results found - however, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other drugs that your selected drugs interact with
Keppra (levetiracetam) interacts with more than 100 other drugs.
Vimpat (lacosamide) interacts with more than 40 other drugs.
Interactions between your selected drugs and food
No results found - however, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1448-858,2961-13389&consumer=1
---
Side effect from Vimpat considered to be severe:
Memory problems (severe means she must seek immediate medical attention)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/vimpat-side-effects.html
---
Keppra
Memory problems (severe means she must seek immediate medical attention)
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/keppra-side-effects.html
Take care,
maso.-
Related topics
keppra, seizures, epilepsy, vimpat
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.