Levetiracetam for Epilepsy User Reviews (Page 4)

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 28, 2023

Levetiracetam "I have been taking Keppra for the past 3 years since a brain hemorrhage. I have not suffered further seizures, but do experience headaches every day (sometimes mild and sometimes severe with no predictability). The other experiences are irritability and variable instability in movement. I have successfully reduced my daily Keppra dosage from 2 grams per day to 1.375 grams (a 31% reduction) and this has improved my quality of life quite a lot. I'm now considering changing my drug from Keppra to Briviact and would really welcome any advice from anyone who has made this drug transition."

• Del...
• December 3, 2018

"So I have taken Keppra for 5 years, and it was the first medicine that the doctors started me on. But unfortunately, I still have seizures monthly. I mostly have grand mals, and I have never woken up in a hospital with memory. So then they upped the Keppra to 3000 mg and also added Lamictal and upped it to 600 mg a day, not counting my other meds, and it's frustrating to never get any answers about any of it. I also don't like the way it makes me feel since they always make me feel tired, mean, lightheaded, and for at least 3 years of dealing with this, I have issues with my vision, driving, etc. I had to get my glasses tinted so I can handle lights easier. Plus, all the things I'm not able to do, like swimming (might drown), going out, skating, anything to do with bright and/or flashing lights, and several other things. Even with all the medicines they have me on, I still have at least 1 a month, and no meds seem to help my issues. Luckily, I have a wonderful seizure alert dog that stays with me everywhere and is amazing at helping."

• NYY...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2017

"Keppra, with Vimpat and Fycompa, has been great for me. We all know that it is hard to find the right combination of drugs. Every neuro I had diagnosed me with the wrong kind of seizures and therefore gave me the wrong meds. I highly recommend video EEG monitoring to anyone who has seizures that cannot be controlled. After thirty years, they finally figured out my problem, and I am now seizure-free. I truly wish all of you the best and hope that your seizures are controlled."

• Sno...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 8, 2019

Levetiracetam "Nothing out of the ordinary. Three years now on Keppra for epilepsy at a dose less than I'm supposed to be taking since we can't afford it at that dosage. 750 mg once a day seems to work. One aura that didn't go to seizure. No side effects... I'm always angry."

• lig...
• April 10, 2010

Levetiracetam "I've been taking Keppra XR for 12 months. I have myoclonic epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures. Jerking and instant blackouts are gone, but occasionally still having tonic-clonics. My dosage levels are still unclear, and time will tell if the current dosage will work. Side effects are not severe, and I function very well compared to past medication experiences."

• Ken...
• August 29, 2011

Levetiracetam "I have had grand mal seizures since I was 9 years old and was involved in a car accident. I have taken Dilantin for over 50 years, with good results. It has controlled my seizures pretty well until recently. I was diagnosed with COPD 2 years ago, and in that time, I have been having seizures every 3-6 months. My doctor switched me to Keppra 6 months ago, and in that time, I have had at least 1 seizure a month. I think it's time to switch back to what works."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2020

Levetiracetam "I have sadly had a love/dislike relationship with Keppra. Almost right away after starting it after being diagnosed with simple partial seizure epilepsy, almost all symptoms I had been dealing with were gone. Within a week, it was amazing to have a day without constant headaches, feeling dizzy, seeing flashes of lights, etc. Starting Keppra, it was discussed between my doctor and me and my spouse that it has a common side effect of causing what she referred to as 'Keppra Rage.' Fortunately for me, I did not experience that. Unfortunately, it did cause me crippling anxiety to the point I couldn't sleep with a blanket and would commonly feel the urge to run outside because it felt like what I would guess a panic attack would feel like. Without that one side effect, Keppra would be my best friend. I would encourage people to try it if offered, however."

• Wis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 8, 2018

"Is there any other medication to replace Keppra? I also take Onfi 1 pill at night, 10 mg, 1000 mg morning and night. I am getting bad side effects on this medication, like gaining weight, losing any reason to eat. Been on this medication for 20 years. Too long. Is there anything else?"

• Dr ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 20, 2017

Levetiracetam "Developed epilepsy due to several strokes while fighting sepsis/septic shock about 4 years ago. I am in the middle of weaning off Keppra and moving to Lamictal. While I was seizure-free on Keppra, the Kepprage, depression, and suicidal thoughts made me think it might be better to take my chances with seizures. Hopefully, the Lamictal will be effective. I also wish there was more science behind cannabis, and I lived in a state that allows medical cannabis. CBD seems like an option to supplement the conventional medications, but I can't say I complain about the occasional 'buzz' via full-spectrum cannabis."

• Jim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 5, 2020

Levetiracetam "Been taking Keppra the whole time I've had epilepsy, which will be six years come next Christmas Eve. It will make you irritable the first few weeks, but that passes. I have one grand mal seizure once every three months. It's an alright drug if your epilepsy isn't a 'I have one every hour' type thing. (: Good luck!"

• Win...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 7, 2016

Levetiracetam "Good for epilepsy, but the feelings you get while taking them are so bad. I have a feeling in my back of burning and on the inside, also as if my tummy is burning. It is so good for fits if only on them a short while, but not so good to be taken too long. I wish my docs would understand what they are putting me through with this drug and how I feel, but they do not understand or do not want to! They just say, 'So you know better than the doctors?' I know these drugs are doing me in, and seeing the doctor about them, so wish me luck! Phew."

• Not...
• June 9, 2020

"I've been on levetiracetam for about 6 years now, and it's controlled my seizures, which started when I was 22 years old. The depression, anger, mood swings, and general numbness are too much. I've lost friends and nearly lost a partner. I never used to get panic attacks, and now I do. I mistake them for auras sometimes, which just heightens the sense of dread. Occasionally, I accidentally miss a dose and wonder why I feel so happy that day, then it hits me... I feel like reading these reviews has helped me to come to a decision to change, so thanks, everyone. That being said, I'm sure this could work for some people, so don't be scared of it as a medication. Just be aware that if your mood changes or you start feeling depressed, that it's not just you turning into an awful person and could be the medication. Also, I'm in the UK, so NHS will change my meds for free, no qualms."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 15, 2017

Levetiracetam "I was diagnosed with grand mal epilepsy in 2004, have tried a lot of different medications over this period, and Keppra has always been a constant during this time, with interaction with others. Starting on 250 mg bd & after a decade, I'm now taking 1000 mg bd with 100 mg bd of lamotrigine. The main concern is that I'm always tired, mentally and physically, having to rest quite a lot & lack of appetite, although I have a feeling that this is due to the combination. I recently had a petit mal seizure, and the neurologist advised that it was due to missing one dose of lamotrigine, although Keppra by itself is a generally peaceful medication. I have been recently diagnosed with hemochromatosis, iron overload, although they've advised it's genetic."

• Bec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2016

"I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 25 and have been taking generic Keppra for 2.5 years. I started the drug to control grand mal seizures. It has been largely effective at controlling the seizures (I've only experienced two since starting the meds). However, the side effects are less than ideal. I originally experienced intense feelings of anger and depression and would break down on a nightly basis. I tried taking the recommended B6 supplement and experienced little to no relief. My short-term memory suffered horribly, and I'm able to recall very little of the first year in which I started taking the medication. I now take Zoloft to combat some of the side effects but still experience feelings of anger, depression, fatigue, and memory loss."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2016

"I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 12 years old (I am now 27). I have been on lamotrigine and topiramate (separately) in the past, and they both worked to control my seizures. This year, my neurologist has changed, and she wanted me to try Keppra, but I was happy on the topiramate, so I said no until I had a grand mal seizure. However, the seizures have gotten worse since taking the Keppra, plus the side effects are awful. At the start, I was so tired I spent all day asleep. After the dosage has increased to 3000 mg per day, I have started to get mood swings, anger, depression, irritability, plus suicidal thoughts and have become a completely different person - I never used to cry, but now I don't stop."

• lab...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 7, 2016

"Have reduced my seizures from about 15 a year to only 3-4 a year, however, the side effects greatly outweigh the benefits. Currently suffering and have been for about 6 years now... extreme fatigue, mood swings, high up and down rapid changing moods, anger with extreme anger outbursts where never in my life was I an angry person, shaky hands, extreme memory loss like 2-4 month gaps, unable to concentrate, irritability, can't even remember simple names of things like cup or brush, which is very frustrating because I used to be a grant writer and loved to write poetry, can't anymore. Stuffy nose, exaggerated fears, swollen glands, depressed, social anxiety, I rarely leave my home anymore, I don't answer the phone, Dr. doesn't care."

• jsh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 19, 2022

Levetiracetam "For us, Keppra was not the right medicine. My son started on this medication at 6 months old and was on it till about 2.5 years old. It didn't seem to help with seizures and also seemed to cause aggression issues. Once we removed this medication, his overall attitude changed for the better. I will say that while on it, one thing that helped with the aggression was B6 vitamin."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2011

"I began having simple partial seizures in my adolescent years, not knowing that they were actually a type of seizure but rather a result of lack of sleep and stress. I had two seizures in the last fifteen months and was terrified of ever having one again. So I started taking Keppra at 750 mg twice a day and have not had a grand mal or simple partial seizure since, which is a big plus. Was drowsy and slept a lot the first couple of weeks, but now I'm back to normal. The only major downside is the extreme mood swings; I was always a happy girl and found joy in everything, but now I can barely go a day without something upsetting, deeply upsetting, or angering me. Hoping to overcome this eventually; I guess it's the price I pay to be seizure-free."

• Kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2021

Levetiracetam "Worst medication I've ever been on. I am naturally a very calm, kind, and easygoing person. On Keppra, I suddenly became an aggressive and angry person. I did not realize this at first, but soon realized I was yelling at everyone and had explosive anger towards the smallest circumstances. I was on this for about a month. I have had amazing experiences on Lamictal (Generic: Lamotrigine)."

• JME...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2013

"My son is 13 years old and has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. He takes 1750 mg of this medication daily along with 750 mg of Trileptal to control his gelastic seizures. He began the meds in May, and by August, he was seizure-free. He did complain of extreme dizziness and tiredness in the beginning, but after about 3 weeks, he was fine. Every person is different, though. Best of luck to everyone!"

• Ost...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 30, 2015

"I have taken Keppra (levetiracetam) since January of 2007, so nearly 9 years. I was taking another seizure drug (Tegretol), but it was causing problems with the sodium level in my blood, so my neurologist changed me to Keppra 500 mg twice a day, and I have had no further problem. I was changed to Keppra 750 mg 2 years ago, as a precaution against any possible future seizures. I have had no seizures while taking Keppra, and would recommend it to anyone who needs seizure control."

• Jis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 15, 2012

Levetiracetam "I have had grand mal seizures since age 7 due to an AVM in my brain. Previously, during childhood, I was on Dilantin (major rage problems) and Tegretol (caused liver damage). When the Tegretol caused liver disease and brain surgery was complete, I was switched to Keppra XR (2 pills 2x a day), and seizures have been under control for the most part."

• Nic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 8, 2021

Levetiracetam "This 'Med'/Keppra/Brivaracetam has always been Neuro's 1st choice since diagnosed in 2008 for 'Opiate induced Epilepsy' @30 (3000 mg). Not helped 'Absent' or 'Nocturnal Seizures'! Would take any 'Med' to avoid Sleep-Wandering, biting mouth to shreds & various injuries when awakened. Keppra = No thanks. The SIZE of the tabs are scary enough, increased anxiety, zombified 24/7, terrible lethargy, that KEPPRA RAGE & negative feelings as others have described. (Tegretol, Clobazam + Zebinix are helping more, tbh.) The gut feeling with others' experiences on this 'Med' confirms suspicions. Bless all.."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2012

"I have had 4 different manufacturers of levetiracetam since September 2011, with 4 grand mal seizures since December 2011. That is the same number that I have had from 1993 to 2011 while on Dilantin, and that was only because it was a doctor/patient lowered dose of Dilantin. Keppra may work great, but not the generics."

• Liv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 26, 2021

Levetiracetam "I started Keppra XR in 2010, 2250 mg daily, and have been seizure-free to date. The first month was a bit rough as I felt disoriented and fatigued. I had a bit of a hiccup when my not-so-usual doctor switched me to immediate release generic. That was terrible! Suicide ideation, anger, and hostility. Life was really awful within 24 hours on that crap! I even got in trouble with the law by day two! Knowing that wasn’t me, I went back to my regular and much-loved doctor. Although not covered under my HMO, I needed my doctor and Keppra XR brand. I have no side effects other than I sometimes feel a little euphoric about an hour after my morning dose. Very satisfied with the results and living my best life."