Keppra and Irritability: What Users Say

• Ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

For Epilepsy "Worst drug ever in my opinion!!! Here were my side effects- irritability, paranoia, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness and tingling in my arms and legs, it would make my aura seizures come more often than they normally would without medication, felt dizzy and lightheaded, which would worsen during an aura seizure. Made me get aura seizures when I was still asleep and it would wake me up! Made me feel suicidal also. I took the medication for about six months and have had more than enough of it. Was tired each day, I could barely get up to do normal things, even to cook. I decided to wean off myself, I decreased dose to half a tablet in the morning, hoping it would stop at the very least my aura seizures in my sleep, but it didn’t help. I then thought after a few months - enough is enough. After taking half a tablet in the morning for a few months, I stopped taking it completely. Never felt better. Wouldn’t go back on it if my life depended on it."

• top...
• May 13, 2016

For Seizures "I was prescribed Keppra on 5/3/16 after a grand mal at work and an abnormal EEG. I had been having absence seizures for many years, this was my first major one. I am having some pretty bad side effects, including dizziness, weakness, extreme fatigue, anger, agitation, and depression. It is tough because I am a single mom and have to work, but I go to work and just sit there because I can't concentrate and don't feel like moving. I am still only taking 250 mg in the morning and 250 mg in the evening. I was directed to move to 500 mg in the morning and 500 mg in the evening after 3 days, but I just don't feel like I can handle it. I feel so hopeless and hope that the side effects will subside."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2017

For Seizures "This medication had a negative effect on my daughter. It changed her mood to a negative mood. It made her depressed, and she felt very agitated. It was a very scary experience and would not recommend it to anyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 17, 2020

For Epilepsy "I have been on Keppra for 5 years. Along with Lamictal, at first, I didn't realize any side effects of Keppra, but once I got taken off Lamictal, the side effects appeared. I didn't feel like myself. I became very depressed, irritable, and anxiety was through the roof. I would get intrusive thoughts and found out from my new neurologist that it's all from the medication Keppra."

• api...
• July 2, 2011

For Seizures "I've been on 500 mg 2x/day for 5 years. Keppra controlled the seizures immediately the day I started it, but I did experience extreme drowsiness and can sleep for days. People always told me I looked tired and knew I was always sleepy. I also got very moody and am easily irritated to the point where no one wants to be around me. I didn't think that it could be linked to the medication until now. It's a terrible feeling, but it does control the seizures."

• 17...
• February 22, 2009

For Seizures "I'm 17 years old and have been taking Keppra for three years now. Keppra has stopped my seizures except on three occasions where I missed a dose. Although it works very well, I have been experiencing some side effects including moodiness, irritability, anger, rage, confusion, and hallucinations. Although I have side effects, I like the overall results of being a well kid."

• Lau...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 28, 2025

"I had a meningioma brain tumor that was fully removed and benign. I never realized I was having seizures, but I was. I just knew I was hearing things and seeing things that others weren't. After my surgery, I was given 1,000 mg a day to prevent seizures. It helped. However, I gained so much weight. I wanted to wean off, so I asked my doctor, and during the weaning off, I had a seizure. Since I was put back to my normal dosage, I have not had another seizure in 2 years! However, I’ve gained weight, and I am extremely moody and irritable. Having a seizure is horrible, so I guess I am stuck being moody the rest of my life. I’ve been told I can’t get off this medicine again. I just want to be myself again. I feel different."

• Guy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2021

For Seizures "I have had 1 seizure at the end of October 2020. Doctors put me on medication right away. I only took it because they said it was the fastest way to get my license back. My neurologist, when I finally talked to him, didn't want me on medication first. Had multiple tests done, everything normal. Neurologist came back and asked if I was still taking the medication. I stopped taking it because my wife first noticed I was a lot more irritable, then the longer I took Keppra, I had no fuse and would just snap at people. I haven't gone on any other medication since all my test results were normal. Now I have the neurologist saying I have to be on medication for at least 6 months, which I don't understand for my first seizure and clear test results. Haven't had any other seizures since and have felt back to normal since going off the medication."

• New...
• April 27, 2009

For Seizures "Had my first seizure this year, put on Keppra a month later. Stopped the seizures, but makes me sleepy all the time. I have mood swings, depression, irritable, and get frustrated easily. Tried to talk to my neurologist, but was told the only side effect Keppra has is being tired. Too scared to ask if I could try anything else because this is supposed to be the safest drug available."

• ama...
• September 5, 2009

For Epilepsy "I have been epileptic since I was 5 years old. Now I am 24 years old. I started taking Keppra 2 years ago. In the beginning, I was so tired and sleepy-nearly lethargic. That wore off after the first 3 months of being on Keppra. Since I have been on Keppra for over two years, I only have had 1 seizure, and it was because I missed a dose. But sometimes I think there are other side effects due to Keppra, such as lack of concentration, frustration, irritability, and anger."

• ama...
• September 5, 2009

For Epilepsy "I have been epileptic since I was 5 years old. Now I am 24 years old. I started taking Keppra 2 years ago. In the beginning, I was so tired and sleepy-nearly lethargic. That wore off after the first 3 months of being on Keppra. Since I have been on Keppra for over two years, I only have had 1 seizure, and it was because I missed a dose. But sometimes I think there are other side effects due to Keppra, such as lack of concentration, frustration, irritability, and anger."

• Nka...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 11, 2015

For Seizures "My fiancé (22 yrs old, 130 lbs) has been on Keppra combined with Vimpat for over a year, and he has had very bad mood swings, weight loss, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, depression, and irritability/quick temper. We are trying to find out if there is another medication he can take in combination with these to help combat the side effects, or if someone has found another med that works as well with less severe side effects, seeing this is the only med that has helped his seizures so far (diagnosed at 17). Anyone else with a similar problem, or know what might help?"

• Out...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 4, 2023

For Epilepsy "Avoid. I am 24 years old, and I had my first seizure almost two years ago. I had another one a month after that. Grand mal seizures, to be exact. Both seizures were very violent, waking up to blood on my pillow, a black eye, and bitten tongue and lips. I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I got prescribed Keppra extended-release. I take 1000 mg at night. The side effects are horrible. Horrible mood swings, irritability, anger, rage, the list goes on. It has ruined relationships around me in my life. I am finally switching medications, there are better options out there. I advise you to look at the options. Take it at your own risk."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2016

For Epilepsy "I was diagnosed at 13 years old with grand mal seizures due to my period. Was put on Keppra 250 mg twice a day. I'm 21 now and still take it. It does control my seizures (though I still get auras once in a while), and I have experienced all the side effects. My parents and friends will be the first to tell you how drastically I have changed from this medication. It makes you very irritable, tired, depressed, crazy mood swings, and short-tempered. Through the years, I've learned to handle it better. When I was 15, I stopped taking them to see if I grew out of it, suggested by my neuro, and had 3 seizures in 3 days. Have been taking it every day ever since. Keeps me living a normal life, like driving a car and going to school!"

• Doo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 12, 2020

For Seizures "At the age of 48, my brother was diagnosed with epilepsy seizures. At that time, he almost died because nothing would stop them. After multiple seizures back to back, like 20+, the only thing that would even help control them was name-brand medication (Keppra). They started him out at six 500 mg daily. Many different symptoms with this I've noticed over the years, so I will list a few: mood swings, anxiety, depression, memory loss of dates and time, agitated, lies. Talked to the doctor about the amount of seizures he experienced since the last visit, and at times he gets violent. This medication still doesn't control them like it should, but by taking it, he at least has a chance."

• Ehh...
• September 1, 2010

For Seizures "I have been taking 1500 mg a day of Keppra for 7 years. I have had two perfectly healthy babies. I did not breastfeed. I didn't want to take the chance. I was just happy they were born normal and healthy. At first, it made me very, very tired, but after a couple of months, that subsided. I did start to gain weight after taking it, but I thought that was from the pregnancies or a thyroid issue. I had no idea so many people gained weight with it and had irritability problems. Those are some things I have lived with for the last 7 years that could be a result of this. It does, however, control my seizures. I have grand mal seizures and had a few over the years because I could not afford to buy the Keppra."

• Sha...
• June 28, 2009

For Seizures "I have tonic-clonic seizures due to a malignant tumor in my frontal lobe. I was prescribed phenytoin, which controlled the seizures, but my doctors could not get my blood levels stable, so I was constantly oscillating from sub-therapeutic to toxic. After 6 months of trial and error with no success, I was switched to Keppra. Keppra failed to control the seizures, and I became hyperactive, easily agitated, and began having suicidal thoughts. My doctor made me switch back to phenytoin. The FDA recently required the manufacturer of Keppra to change the warning label to include these as known adverse reactions in some patients."

• jl2...
• September 24, 2011

For Seizures "Have been on Keppra for about 8 months now. Only one seizure, but the side effects are getting to me. Depressed, irritable, weight gain. Neurologist has added an antidepressant to see if that helps. Just wish the medication was cheaper."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2021

For Seizures "23-year-old male, 6'1", 155 lbs. Never had any health issues other than ADHD (diagnosed at age 15) and 2 myoclonic seizures, which I just only recently experienced. I underwent a battery of tests (CT, ECG, X-rays, blood work, etc.). All of my tests came back completely normal, save for slightly elevated blood pressure. I was put on Keppra 1000 mg, twice daily, as a result. I read up on how nasty the side effects allegedly were, but I found my personal experience with them quite underwhelming in comparison. Symptoms are definitely present though, chiefly gastrointestinal discomfort, irritability, restlessness, and feeling 'spaced out.' My most concerning symptom is that it has made it quite difficult to find things genuinely enjoyable like I used to. The best way that I can describe it is that it makes me feel robotic. Symptoms are obnoxious, yet manageable with some effort and patience. For seizures, I have not had any recurring episodes since being on it, so I can't say it's ineffective."

• Daw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2017

For Epilepsy "Neuro recently added Keppra to my seizure medication regimen. I have absence seizures, and the 600 mg (the recommended max) of Lamotrigine I'd been on for 16 years was no longer as effective. Being middle-aged and female, my seizures developed a catamenial (hormonal) aspect to them. My absences would skyrocket at certain times of the month, as many as 60 a day. Been on Keppra for 2 weeks and have only had 1 absence during that time! As for the side effects: near-constant irritability, sometimes a sense of hopelessness, apathy, and mood swings. More often than not, I feel detached from the world...like I'm just watching a movie and I'm not a part of what's going on around me. I'm weighing the trade-off: no seizures or constant crazy? Gonna give it a little more time."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2009

For Epilepsy "I started on Keppra before I got pregnant. I was on a large dose of Epilim, and it would not be safe for me to be pregnant on such a large dose, therefore, my neurologist reduced my Epilim dose to 500 mg twice a day and introduced Keppra 500 mg twice a day. Thankfully, my son was born healthy. Next week, I am planning to start to come off Epilim gradually due to constant tiredness, irritability, and agitation that is made worse from being on two medications. I'll just be on Keppra, hope it works as I have been seizure-free for 2 1/2 years. I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and I have had epilepsy for 14 years but have only been controlled for 2 1/2 years. Lamictal was a waste of time."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2009

For Epilepsy "I started on Keppra before I got pregnant. I was on a large dose of Epilim, and it would not be safe for me to be pregnant on such a large dose, therefore, my neurologist reduced my Epilim dose to 500 mg twice a day and introduced Keppra 500 mg twice a day. Thankfully, my son was born healthy. Next week, I am planning to start to come off Epilim gradually due to constant tiredness, irritability, and agitation that is made worse from being on two medications. I'll just be on Keppra, hope it works as I have been seizure-free for 2 1/2 years. I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and I have had epilepsy for 14 years but have only been controlled for 2 1/2 years. Lamictal was a waste of time."

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2009

For Seizures "I am currently on Lamictal and Keppra. I've been through lots of changes in medicine since pregnancy and had brain surgery on the injured part of the brain due to being in a coma as a child. I'm still having seizures, not as often, but when they hit, they hit in numbers, not just one! I want more options and no more surgery! And my family and I want the mood swings, anger, agitation, and racing thoughts to be gone!"

• Eps...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2023

For Seizures "Overall, the medication did indeed stop my seizures, but the side effects were unbearable. To this day, I don’t remember those first few weeks on it but still get to hear about how cranky, irritable, and foggy I was."

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

For Epilepsy "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!"