Keppra User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Gra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2023

For Epilepsy "I’m thankful for this drug. It allowed me to have two healthy children. I was originally on Depakote, my pediatric neurologist thought it was a good idea to put me on it, even though I was 17 and eventually wanted kids. I ended up with an autistic child with special needs. I vowed never to have children again as long as I was on Depakote. I wish my first neurologist had put me on Keppra. Keppra, I still have mixed feelings on. I’m thankful I was able to transition to it, and I’ve been seizure-free on it for several years. I had a few breakthrough seizures after having my last child, but an increase in dose resolved that. I absolutely experience the rage, however, and overwhelming emotions. I do have suicidal thoughts at times, but I am a single mom and not in a position to try a new drug since it is controlling my seizures. The rage is real, people aren’t exaggerating, but to me, I’d rather be seizure-free and live an independent life than risk my freedom for rage issues."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

For Epilepsy "I was tried on Keppra for a short period as a possible substitute for Dilantin, with the results that it did control my seizures, but after just two weeks, to borrow from the prescribing information, it produced 'hostile and aggressive behavior' over even the slightest thing. That was the first time. The second time that I was tried on Keppra, I spent a year on probation for assault. You can guess my opinion. It works well for some people, but I fear it's not as safe as the UCB and the FDA claim."

• 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."

• SJT...
• December 18, 2007

For Seizures "I have been taking Keppra for 6 years now. It has helped my grand mal seizures out somewhat. My doctor has tried me on so many other seizure meds along with this one. I have experienced mood changes and all kinds of others, but this is the only seizure med that keeps them calmed down. Not kept away, but calmed down enough to where I can have somewhat of a life."

• 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?"

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2009

For Epilepsy "I took Dilantin for over 20 years and always felt tired. I regularly had seizures 2-3 times a year while taking this medicine. My doctor took me off Dilantin, and I transitioned to Levetiracetam (Keppra) because long-term use of Dilantin can promote osteoporosis. I have been seizure-free ever since and experience no side effects. I also feel more energy as a result of getting off Dilantin."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

For Epilepsy "Keppra not only increased my seizures from 3 a year to 5-7 grand mal a week but also kept me conscious during them so that I was able to feel every excruciating moment. Normally, the human brain blacks out during a seizure. Thanks to this drug, I was able to feel and remember my muscles tightening and fighting against each other, my head trying to hit again the floor and my legs and arms trying to kick and beat the air. As soon as I was able, I switched doctors and medication. This needs to be pulled from the shelves!!"

• Bob...
• June 30, 2011

For Seizures "I have been taking Keppra for 4 years. When I keep up with a 2000 mg dose daily, I rarely have seizures anymore. When I go off the medicine, they come back. I would have to say it does the trick with minimal side effects."

• CKL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2015

For Seizures "I am 37 years old and have had Petit Mal seizures since I was 2 years old. My seizures were always controlled on Epival. However, this drug isn't safe during pregnancy, so my doctor prescribed me Keppra (500 mg) before we started to try for a baby. Keppra works well for me to control the Petit Mal seizures. However, it has really bad side effects. It made me extremely tired and quite moody. The worst part about this medication is that it caused me to have 2 Grand Mal seizures (10 weeks and 18 weeks). Before these 2 seizures, I had never had a Grand Mal before. I am now off of Keppra and on Lamotrigine and feel great. I have energy and feel like myself again. Best of all, no Grand Mal seizures!"

• Use...
• January 17, 2013

For Epilepsy "I had my first seizure when I was 17 (now 23). I always wanted to be on medications that were safe, so one day when I had a family. And now I have my family with a healthy boy. I do have to say I was having depression, I was having dizzy spells and really bad headaches. But I talked to my doctor, he lowered my dose and gave me Topamax to take with it. And now my headaches are gone. It is very hard to actually find the right medication for yourself. I wish you all the best!"

• Anonymous
• August 19, 2009

For Seizures "This has been my lifesaver. I've been on this for 7 years or more. I take 4500 mg a day along with 600 mg Lamictal a day. With each increase, I have better control, but this knocked me out when increased in larger increments. People say I look tired, but I'm so used to it I don't notice. Unfortunately, I can't think straight. My reading, comprehension, and learning are shot. I've been trying college for years, each increase brings better control. I wish I could stop the medication for a few days to see if there is another world out there, but my brain gives me an unfortunate reminder if I'm late."

• 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."

• G G...
• June 17, 2008

For Seizures "I have been taking Keppra for 3 years now. I used to take Lamictal and felt crazy during that time. I used to feel sleepy, and at first, I couldn't wake up in the morning when I started taking Keppra, but now I am happy to be on it. My biggest issue with Keppra is the rising cost and the fact that my body gets used to it, so I have to increase my dose."

• Al1...
• December 14, 2017

For Seizures "My boyfriend is 22 years old, and he has never experienced seizures before. Then one day at work, after not eating or sleeping very well, he had a seizure (I forget what kind of seizure). He was rushed to the hospital, and they did scans and tried to send him home. After 10 minutes of leaving the hospital, he had another seizure. (Just to mention, his dad's sister has seizures and is on Dilantin.) Then he had a bunch of CAT scans and an EEG, and nothing came back. But now he has to take Keppra 4000 mg a day for 3 months. He hates it. He's very moody now, depressed, and he was never like this before. They are going to do a stress test after the 3 months of taking Keppra and see if not sleeping and eating right caused abnormal brain waves... I just want this to be over."

• Ang...
• February 16, 2012

For Seizures "In April 2010, I went into grand mal seizures, which were found to be due to brain cancer. After surgery and being sent home, I was put on Keppra. As of Feb 2012, I have not had a seizure since, but I have found this medicine makes me very tired and I itch all over all the time. I was taking 500 mg in the morning and 500 mg in the evening. Then we changed it to 1000 mg in the evening and none in the morning. I find it very hard to get motivated in the mornings. I want to stay in bed and sleep. I take antidepressants, but I'm not depressed or crying. I had been, and they felt under the circumstances I needed to stay on the antidepressant. We tried changing it, and I still stayed very tired, and that is why I am sure it's the Keppra making me so tired. Otherwise, kudos."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2018

For Epilepsy "I've been struggling with seizures for seven years. A year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with epilepsy and put on Keppra. I currently take almost the max dosage, 1,750 mg twice a day. I struggled with grand mal seizures so much before starting Keppra. Ever since I started Keppra, I've only had one grand mal occur a year ago. Although Keppra helped my grand mal seizures, it didn't prevent my partial seizures or otherwise petit mal seizures. Keppra doesn't react badly with other meds or the body. Overall, satisfied with Keppra!"

• Rya...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2016

For Seizures "My brother had a tumor 15 years ago removed after having a seizure. Takes 1000 mg Keppra a day. He has mood swings, diarrhea if he does eat before, and delusional. Still effective. I started having anxiety attacks and seizures at 24 years of age. Neurologist prescribed me Keppra 500 mg daily and 2 mg Xanax a day when needed, usually, I break Xanax into pieces as you can because they have little bars to do so. I don't have any side effects besides feeling sleepy at the end of the day. I don't take Xanax until after work at the end of the day as Xanax does make me sleepy. Keppra deserves a 10 for me. But my brother rates it a 7. Everyone is different. I know this is for Keppra, but Xanax is not for anyone, a lot of people can't handle the drug and can't control themselves. Let the doctor determine."

• Mag...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 7, 2014

For Epilepsy "After having seizures for reg every 8 days or so for 55 years on many different anticonvulsants, I was given Keppra, 3000 mg daily, and for the last 10 years have been free from seizures with no side effects whatever. This medication has changed my life around."

• mac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 16, 2013

For Epilepsy "I have been on Keppra for 10 months. After 45 years on Dilantin, my liver was being poisoned. Dilantin worked as far as controlling seizures. Keppra has worked so far, but I have insomnia and no appetite."

• Nel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 7, 2023

For Seizures "I've been on Keppra for about 6 years. Over my lifetime, I've been prone to periodic depression, but this drug brought on almost major depression, especially the last 2 plus years. It also caused a lot of anger, irritability, agitation, impatience, fatigue, and easily brought on crying (I was never a big crier). I'm off it now for only 6 days. Too soon to say, but I do feel a bit calmer. I pray that I improve."

• Ala...
• April 6, 2009

For Seizures "I have been taking Keppra for about four years now. I have had no negative side effects or weird stuff that happens to those on Keppra. I plan on taking 2000 mg daily, so hopefully I will not have any seizures."

• Hai...
• November 18, 2007

For Seizures "My daughter is now six years old, and she began taking Keppra at age 3 after the severe seizure she had that put her in a coma. She has many behavioral issues with Keppra as a downfall, but it has maintained control of the grand mal seizures. So, we give it a chance for the simple reason of the seizure-free time."

• Kar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 2, 2013

For Seizures "It works most of the time. I developed epilepsy when I was almost 60 years old, and the first medication I took gave me horrible headaches. This works, but it also can give me diarrhea, and when that happens and the medicine doesn't stay in my body long enough to work, I can have mild attacks. Sometimes I have the mild, brief attacks even when the medicine stays in me."

• rob...
• September 2, 2009

For Seizures "My 19-year-old daughter started having grand mal seizures 3 years ago and was started on Keppra. She was started at 500 mg/day and is now at 1000 mg/day. Since starting, her seizures have been kept about 95% at bay. She still has an occasional mild seizure (2 in the past year), and they haven't been nearly as intense or as long as before starting Keppra. I'm very pleased, and I know she is relieved. The only side effect I've noticed is some constipation. I haven't seen any negative changes in her demeanor."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2011

For Seizures "I've been taking this medicine since December 2009, and I haven't had a seizure while taking it. I've doubled my dose according to my doctor's instructions since then and am now taking 3000 mg/day, the max adult dose. I've noticed an increase in anxiety and severe anxiety symptoms since beginning Keppra, but other than that, it's been a great medicine."