Levetiracetam and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• RJa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2019

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Over 2 years in now and Keppra is keeping my seizures away, but the 2500mg a day has made me a different person for sure. I don’t feel as excited to socialize as much. I feel fatigued a lot, can easily doze off if not doing anything that requires my attention. Old memories can bring on strong emotions that normally wouldn’t before, and my memory is not nearly as strong as it was. I am constantly setting reminders for things I should easily remember."

• Ren...
• November 20, 2013

Levetiracetam 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."

• Gus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2019

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I have been using Keppra now for over a year. I have had no side effects from it whatsoever, maybe occasionally my short-term memory is not 100%, but apart from that, I am amazed at it. Compared to the drugs I was taking as a child, Keppra has kept me seizure-free for over a year now."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2017

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Although this drug has paused my seizure activity, I feel like a different person. The first month, my mood swings were unreal and almost indescribable. I'd wake up so happy in the morning and be depressed by around 4-5 pm. I was and still am fatigued all the time, and little things like walking up the stairs make me out of breath. I also let little things annoy me and unfortunately take it out on the people around me. I have lost 10 pounds since I've started this medication. I have no desire to eat even though I know my body needs food. I feel like Dory from Finding Nemo, and it embarrasses me at times. My friends will tell me something, and I'll completely forget what they said and ask them about it a few minutes later."

• Mtu...
• November 11, 2017

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I don't like using Keppra at all. Since the start of using Keppra, I keep on having suicidal thoughts every day, which I don't want to have. Keppra is making my life worse than ever. My mood is changing every minute. It has impacted my schoolwork so much. I have trouble remembering things and being happy. Sometimes I cry so hard and say to myself 'I can't take this drug anymore'. My self-esteem is getting very low every day. This drug is destroying my relationship with my friends and family. I just want to be able to tell them and my school what my feelings are and not pretend to put a mask of happiness over my face."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2019

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I experienced mood swings, including increased emotionality (crying, anger, etc.); I had difficulty falling asleep/restlessness (tired and wired feeling); muscle cramping and joint aches became more frequent, as well as general body fatigue and lethargy; my appetite was lowered and indigestion was common; dry mouth occurred regularly; and forgetfulness and attention problems were apparent. Seizures did not continue while on the 250 mg twice a day dose, but the side effects outweighed the benefits, especially considering I could not take the full 500 mg twice a day prescribed dosage."

• Wor...
• June 5, 2015

Levetiracetam for Seizures "My husband is 35 yrs old and had his first seizure in 03/15 right before a medical procedure for a shot in his back due to pain. He has an extreme phobia of needles and seized before they did the procedure for his back. The doctors believe it was due to extreme stress, but then a month and a half later, while at work, he had another seizure. The neurologist started him on Keppra, and he has been on it for a little over a month. He hasn't experienced another seizure, but the medication is making him extremely depressed, he seems drunk/high from it, can't walk straight, speech is slurred, eyes glossy, memory loss. I don't even feel like he is even my husband anymore because it has made him so spacey."

• Tay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2018

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I have been seizure-free since 2014. It was two weeks before starting Keppra that I had my last seizure, so it's been three and a half years seizure-free. As far as bad side effects, it could possibly have given me attention and memory issues, it's hard to say because I don't remember having that great of a memory to begin with, but other than that, it's been good. I got my license back three years ago, as I had my second seizure at age 19 and had my license taken away, so now at the age of 25 I couldn't be happier. I never look back and think I will have another, but I will probably take Keppra the rest of my life if it is what is helping me and my epilepsy. I also had allergic reactions to two types of antiepileptic medications and then was placed on a drug that wasn't helping my seizures at all, so Keppra was a godsend."

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

Levetiracetam 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."

• Jon...
• June 18, 2015

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I've been on Keppra for about a year now. I am not the same person I used to be. I have lost motivation to do anything. I can't retain information. I introduce myself to people I already know because I can't remember anything, even things I learned years ago. The worst part is I still have seizures. They just keep increasing the dose. I'm up to 1500 mg twice a day."

• JME...
• November 1, 2015

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I am 16, I have had Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy for almost 2 years now and have been on Keppra ever since. I experienced some weight loss, extreme depression, hallucinations, and memory loss. I've only had one other grand mal seizure while on this, and I do not jerk anymore. Though it works, I wish I felt alive and awake during normal daily tasks. If you can seek other medications for physiological and behavioral reasons, I suggest it."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2016

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I have jerky events that have not technically been epilepsy, but it runs throughout my mom's side of the family, and I have just started Keppra at 2000 mg a day. I have been on Topamax for a couple of years now, and my doctor added Keppra in conjunction with 300 mg Topamax a day, since only 400 mg of Topamax a day was not working and the side effects of memory loss and painful pins/needles were too awful to deal with. Keppra so far has only made me feel zonked and not too hungry, but my memory is coming back, which I am happy about. I also have not had an event. I am sure the zonkiness will wear off with some time."

• Han...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2017

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in 2010 and was started on Depakote. After gaining 40 lbs and still having seizures on that medication, my doc switched me to Keppra XR. Initially, I started out on 500 mg once a day and was feeling a little drowsy but okay. I was still having muscle jerks, so she upped the dose to 1500 mg once a day and started having severe fatigue. As a college student, this was affecting my studies severely. Now, on the same dosage for 3 years, I have memory loss, severe exhaustion and fatigue, headaches, and dizziness every day, and my schoolwork is being negatively affected. My doc refuses to change my medication since I haven't had a seizure while on Keppra XR."

• Pac...
• November 18, 2017

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "As a 42-year-old female, I have had seizures my entire life. I have taken 14 anti-convulsants at one point or another in an attempt to control my complex partial seizures, but Keppra is the WORST medication I have EVER taken. The side effects are horrible. Although it's the only medication that has been able to stop my seizures, the side effects are so terrible that it's not worth taking it. I couldn't string together a coherent thought, had short-term memory loss, had awful mood swings, and suddenly hated life. Everything was difficult, I couldn't think straight and felt emotionally raw all the time. I could barely keep it together while on this medication. Every day of life was AWFUL while on this medication. I will NEVER take it again."

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

Levetiracetam 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."

• MCH...
• May 6, 2016

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I started having seizures after a car accident when I was 18 (now 28). I was told by neurologists that may be the reason for the 'trigger' of my epilepsy. I had 3 t-c seizures before being put on the max dosage of 1500 mg 2x daily of the Keppra. The side effects listed with the drugs usually happen to me, but it wasn't hard to handle. Keppra worked for 2 years for the most part. Then it stopped. I began to have nighttime seizures, then partials, auras, memory loss, anxiety, double vision. You name it, it was happening and it still is. I am now with a seizure specialist taking 3 different seizure medications and an anti-anxiety as needed. 15 pills. Still having t-c, complex-partials, and partials with all the side effects. Can't work now."

• Bgo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2017

Levetiracetam for Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 13. Due to my cerebral palsy, I had been taking Zonegran since then. I had weaned myself off of my medication when I got pregnant and had been seizure-free for almost 7 years. I recently had a relapse and began seeing a different neurologist. She put me on Keppra. THE WORST three months of my life. My moods would go from 0-60 in a matter of seconds and for no valid reason. I had trouble remembering things, even trouble with communication. It’s true, I also began to have suicidal thoughts and became too much to handle, even for myself. I would randomly cry, then get angry. I recently was referred to another neurologist, who asked me about these symptoms, and then it clicked. I DO NOT recommend this medication to anyone."

• ica...
• January 29, 2010

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I've been on Keppra for around 4 months now. The only thing I like about it is that I don't feel like a zombie like I did while taking Tegretol. Apart from that, it does not really control my seizures and makes me dizzy and forgetful."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2021

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I started taking Keppra 6 months ago… now taking 750 mg morning/750 mg evening. Worst drug I've ever taken. I'm a different woman, I've split up with my partner because of my dreadful mood swings. I feel awful, cry all the time, get angry very quickly. Lost weight. Memory issues, bad! And getting my words mixed up very easily, and I'm only 23! My neurologist is now changing me to a better drug! Gosh, don't take this, it's an awful drug, I'd say! On the good note, it has stabilized my seizures, been seizure-free for 6 months!"

• pri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2023

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Since I started taking Keppra XR, I have been experiencing hair loss and memory issues. Now my doctor switched me to the Keppra XR. I find it more alert to take the Keppra XR one time a day. I can only hope the hair loss doesn't continue, as a female, it is very upsetting. I have also developed a slight hand tremor, the doctor says it is unrelated to meds. I have only been on it for over a month."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2021

Levetiracetam for Seizures "I tried lamotrigine twice. Unfortunately, it caused very swollen lymph nodes with fever. I took Keppra 750 mg twice a day for a few months. My kidneys couldn't handle it. I then stopped and tried again, ended up taking 500 mg twice a day. I believe Keppra does stop seizures to some extent, although it causes side effects that are unbearable over time. The biggest issues were personality changes, I became a different human, lacked empathy, was very moody, and hardly happy. I did have bouts of aggression, but for me, it was better than my previous aggressive issues before starting Keppra. I couldn't complete tasks, had memory problems, libido problems, insomnia, and lots of trouble focusing, I had no motivation and lots of sadness, my muscles ached, and I couldn't train at the gym as much as I did before. I felt like I wasn't living my own life. I felt the cost of controlling seizures was just too high. It will work if you can live like a zombie."

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

For Epilepsy "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."

• Say...
• September 29, 2015

For Seizures "I had every side effect, even pain in my temples, which was so painful that I thought they were going to bust and was ready to go to the ER. When I decided to look my meds up online, I found that Keppra was causing these side effects, and people were going to the ER for this. Also, I was having so many memory problems I couldn't remember anything from 2 minutes prior. I had agitation, anxiety, angry outbursts. I had to go. I mean go. I couldn't stay still. Sometimes I felt like I had to leave, it was crazy. I was losing my mind. I had no control. I was very angry, lots of outbursts, and I couldn't control it! When I looked up all of the side effects, I couldn't believe how I felt was right there. It was me right there."

• Tun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 18, 2021

For Epilepsy "Keppra has worked so far for the last 14 years. When compared to the other 1 AED (lamictal) that I've been on, it's the better choice. But, if you are on it or about to start taking it, make sure to look at other options. Whether you're male or female, Keppra will negatively affect your sex life and will seriously impact your ability to reproduce. I wasn't aware of this side effect until recently, but it has affected me since I started. As a result, I'm now infertile. Also, in today's society, if sexual relations in a relationship are on the rocks, a relationship will most likely end in at least 1 partner cheating. Also avoid lamictal, as the FDA has a warning on the side effects (kidney disease). It also causes cognitive impairment, i.e., symptoms resemble those of dementia. Every 4 years I have to decrease the lamictal dose by 100mg due to the side effects. Klonazepam, as well as any anti-depression AED, can also cause infertility."

• ROY...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2022

For Epilepsy "Just wanted to do a follow-up to my comment @ 14 months ago. I am now on 400 mg daily of Vimpat. I am no longer on levetiracetam, however, I am still experiencing side effects of levetiracetam: cognitive issues, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, anxiety, depression. I worked corrections and was a go-getter and very good at my job, now I don't want to leave the house and struggle at jobs. I have had 3 EEGs and 1 MRI, I still have seizure activity and medical professionals I have discussed my side effects I had with levetiracetam state I may never get back to my normal self. My neurologist has never addressed this possibility and told me 14 months ago nobody has problems with Keppra/levetiracetam. Please advocate for yourself when encountering med change."