Levetiracetam and Anger: What Users Say

• Cle...
• March 18, 2021

For Seizures "Seven years ago my neurologist put me on Keppra because nothing else had worked to date in controlling my seizures. I gained 100 lbs in a year and had anger blowups. I would not give this drug to an enemy."

• Sco...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2020

For Epilepsy "When first put on Keppra, things seemed to be fine. But over time, when I had my annual neuro appointment and I'd tell them of any seizures I'd had that year, they'd up the Keppra dosage. And the more Keppra I took, the more seizures I had. I didn't realize that till later. At one point I was on 4000mg (?too much?) of the XR version daily. That's when I figured that the Keppra was the culprit to more frequent seizures. And the after-effects of a seizure while on that dosage lasted for days. They were major depression, headache, and minor aftershocks like another seizure was going to happen. In the past three years I'm working my way slowly off this drug. Now no longer on the XR version, just regular immediate release pills. On 500mg a day. I have fewer seizures. And if I do, I recover from them within an hour or so. One more thing. On the Keppra XR, Keppra rage was no joke. I'd be fine. Then out of the blue, just all hateful and mad for no reason. Any little thing would set me off."

• Ren...
• November 20, 2013

For Seizures "I had surgery for a benign brain tumor over 8 yrs. ago; Gamma Knife radiation surgery 3 yrs. ago. The Gamma Knife surgery left me with scar tissue that caused me to have my first partial seizure. This required me to remain on seizure medication, levetiracetam. To prevent recurrent seizures, I was on a dose of 1,000 mg. / 2x's day. I was on this dosage for over 2 yrs. No seizures, but side effects crept up slowly: bad memory loss, difficulty finding words, fatigue, weight gain. Then, the intolerable ones: deep depression, mood swings, crazy flip-out anger. It just kept getting worse, until I couldn't wait to get off of it! My doctor called it the 'Keppra Rage'. I guess this is a well-known side effect that I could not tolerate."

• Kri...
• April 9, 2015

For Seizures "I hate this medication! Yes, it controls my seizures, but it makes me a horrible human being. It causes me to be mean, moody, and angry. I would almost rather have the seizures than have these horrible side effects. At the next neurologist appointment, I am begging for a different medication. And not Dilantin or Gabapentin either. Both of those have given me nasty side effects as well. But what works for one does not necessarily mean it will work for another. Good luck to those of you who are taking this medication. I pray that the side effects are not as bad for you as they were for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2016

For Seizures "Worst drug I have ever taken. Been on it for 4 weeks. Not even sure I had a seizure to begin with. All tests, MRI, and EEG were negative. Trying to wean myself off. Dizzy, headache, depressed, severe mood swings, angry, then lethargic. Sorry I ever went to the doctor."

• Ron...
• December 16, 2015

For Seizures "I had my first seizure on 04/04/14 while driving and they found that I had epilepsy. The neurologist put me on Keppra. It is by far the best drug I've had to take. Initially, it was a pain as I was always angry, depressed because I lost my driving licence, and tired all the time. All I wanted to do was sleep. However, once I took this medication after 6 months, the side effects wore off, and I was getting back to my old self again - happy and all that. I once forgot to take my tablets for 2 days, and I had a seizure. It was the biggest mistake I've made. I always remember to take my tablets now. I'm seizure-free now. Please take your tablets. They do help."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

For Seizures "My 10-year-old daughter began on Keppra 1000 mg per day to control her Rolandic epilepsy. The first four weeks were awful, she was aggressive and scary. I needed extra help to stop her from attacking her siblings. HOWEVER, this calmed down after 4-6 weeks, and she is now back to normal. Seizure-free (so far) 4 months later. Her mood is back to normal. I would encourage parents to persevere through the first few weeks as it was AWFUL but has improved immensely."

• Bol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2019

For Seizures "I’ve been on Keppra for about 2 years for my seizures, and the side effects are on and off. My main problems are I’m extremely short-tempered, often very depressed, and most importantly, this medication causes so much plaque buildup in my mouth. Whenever they raise the dosage on me, I have to go to the dentist once a month with issues with my gums bleeding or a tooth being on the verge of being a cavity, and I brush twice a day and floss every night before bed. My dentist was very confused about why I had to keep coming in with mouth problems until I told him I was epileptic and on Keppra. My dentist told me of the oral side effects, dry mouth, etc."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2016

For Seizures "I had my first seizure on 6/12/16, and it was a grand mal seizure. The EEG found scarring on the brain from a fall a few years ago. I was prescribed Keppra 250 mg twice daily, and it was awful. I had loss of memory, which the pharmacist says was due to mini seizures. I had to lock myself into my room on several days because I was in horrible form. I was so angry. After 7 days, I moved up to 500 mg twice daily, and I must say I have never felt so good, not in years. I am in fantastic humor all the time. I am full of energy. Even my doctor is shocked. I know it's very early days for me to give a review, but I think it's worth sharing a good experience after reading so many bad ones. I'm a 34-year-old male if that makes a difference to anyone."

• bal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2016

For Seizures "First, I had partial seizures (after a head injury in 2004), and after a grand mal in 2014, I almost died because of status epilepticus. After that, I have been on Keppra 1000 mg a day (500 mg morning, 500 mg evening) for 2 years now. The first month or two, I had headaches and double vision, sometimes I was a bit aggressive, but after a few months, it was okay. For me, it is good medicine, now I have 10 petit mals a year, and I think that bad heavy weather changes are causing them. I want to tell you that after the first or second month, side effects went away. For me, it is important that I take Keppra with a good meal in the morning and evening. It is good medicine, just do not give up. Love you all."

• 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."

• Bla...
• October 15, 2015

For Epilepsy "When I first started Keppra, I noticed instability with my emotions, especially anger. After a complete rage out, I decided to do some research and discovered that taking a vitamin B6 supplement helps to reduce or eliminate this effect. The results were instantaneous with me. If you take Keppra, I strongly recommend getting the B6 supplement. I take 1 in the morning with breakfast."

• arc...
• March 20, 2011

For Seizures "I have been on many anti-epileptic medicines over the course of 30 years: Dilantin, Mysoline, Klonopin, Depakote, Topamax, Lamictal, etc. While Keppra did a good job of controlling the myoclonic jerks, which I often experience, it was way too sedating when combined with Topamax. It wasn't uncommon for me to sleep twelve hours a day. The real problem with Keppra was the mood swings, depression, anger, and suicidal thoughts. It's no secret that a link exists between epilepsy/seizure disorders and some (all) of these issues; however, in my case, these feelings and emotions definitely intensified while taking Keppra."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2015

For Seizures "Made me more aggressive, lost nearly 50% of my friends on Facebook while on this. Caused me to lose contact with several family members after they saw my anger from being on this. Product should be off the market!"

• Owe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2020

For Epilepsy "I have been on Keppra for 12 years, and at first, it improved my seizures. Been epileptic for 29 years. However, side effects are brutal. The lack of sleep affects my day-to-day life, the depression and panic attacks are awful, and the rage can be horrendous. Generally, I’m a calm person. I meditate daily and have to, to keep from screaming at everything. It’s like always being at your worst, and there are days you question your own sanity or the point of carrying on. I am trying to convince my neurologists to find an alternative to this awful tablet, as I’m now at the point where I have panic attacks even leaving my bedroom. My vision is constantly blurred and flickering, and it feels like I have a CONSTANT aura as I get pre-seizure. I’m lucky enough to have not had the suicidal thoughts, but even without them, I can sympathize with those who do, as it may well seem the only way out."

• she...
• August 23, 2009

For Seizures "I am an 18-year-old who has been having seizures for the last three years or so. Keppra helps me a lot. I just wanted to say, for those women who have mood swings and anger issues due to this medicine, talk to your doctor about going on prenatal vitamins, such as Vinate A-Z. I became the meanest person I had ever met, but after I was put on Vinate, I went back to normal the day I started taking it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2016

For Epilepsy "This medication created the worst two years of my life. I started having seizures my sophomore year of college and am now a senior, and I have been on Keppra the past two years. The doctors never explained the severe side effects that would go along with this horrible drug. I used to be always a happy kid, and since I started taking Keppra, I constantly dealt with mood swings, uncontrollable anger, severe depression, constant thoughts of suicide, weight gain, and hair loss! I can't believe it took me such a long time to get off of this stupid drug. The seizures never stopped either, and all the doctors would do is increase my dosage every time. I'm currently at 3000mg a day and am slowly weeding myself off of this drug and going all natural."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 6, 2018

For Epilepsy "Keppra has made me angry beyond words, impatient, and now I cry all of the time. It has been like watching a train wreck in slow motion and not being able to control it. I feel like I’m going to explode all of the time. There has to be anything better than this."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Luk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 15, 2016

For Seizures "I have had epilepsy from 18 months old, started on Epilim. By the time I turned 3, I was seizure-free till I was 16. Just before my math exam, I had a seizure, wasn't exactly sure what caused it. I went to my GP, I was put on 100 mg of lamotrigine, then went up to 250 mg of lamotrigine, finished on 300. The drug didn't work at all. I was then referred to see a neurologist, and we started off taking Keppra 500 mg alongside the lamotrigine. We then moved to 750 mg of Keppra with the lamotrigine BD. After all of that, we then moved to 1000 mg BD, since then to know, I'm now on 4 grams a day alongside 600 mg of oxcarbazepine and currently on 6 mg of Perampanel. I'm getting the drowsiness, tiredness, and from the Keppra, I'm turning aggressive."