Levetiracetam and Mood Swings: What Users Say

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

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

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."

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

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."

• 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."

• Ken...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2018

For Seizures "I have been on this medication almost since it was introduced, being on other medications that stopped the seizures but had to have blood tests every 6 months for liver function. Those ones didn't stop my seizures. Keppra has stopped all my seizure activity with little or no side effects after being on it for the first year. Occasionally I feel the emotional effects of depression and mood swings, but I am able to mentally talk myself out of the negative mental state, change the emphasis of what is causing the irritability, and change my environment (getting out and socializing, viewing nature, whatever it takes). Overall, Keppra holds my seizures from occurring with minimal effects."

• fal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2013

For Seizures "I am so glad I found this forum! My husband was on Dilantin and it was working well, but a few years ago his Dr. switched him to Keppra because it was newer. He started having severe depression and mood swings to a point where they diagnosed him with Bipolar. The depression has been getting worse and worse to a point where we almost hospitalized him because I was afraid he may hurt himself. Today, I spoke with his mental health provider and asked about trying Depakote and decided to come home and research if he could take both. After reading the reviews, I am 100% convinced that it is the Keppra causing his depression, and I am taking him to the Dr. Monday to have him put back on Dilantin!"

• Mtu...
• November 11, 2017

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

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."

• Jon...
• January 31, 2014

For Seizures "I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 23. I am now 35. I was put on Tegretol 500mg twice a day. For 2 years, my life was a nightmare. I still got seizures and double vision every day. I was then prescribed 500mg of Keppra twice daily along with the Tegretol. The double vision went completely and I found that I only have 1 or 2 seizures max a year. This is usually because of lack of sleep or forgetting to take my medicines. Yes, I find my attention span is not great sometimes along with tiredness and mood swings. The positives for me outweigh the negatives. Good luck in finding what suits you best."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2014

For Seizures "Started about 1 week ago. Was fine, then all of a sudden I started feeling really tired and restless. Nothing unusual. Now I have no appetite, spaced out majority of the day. My mood swings are through the roof, and tonight I had a nightmare. Calling my doctor to see what to do."

• CBa...
• June 9, 2020

For Epilepsy "I have been on levetiracetam (Keppra) for almost 6 years now, before that, I was on sodium valproate. In the beginning, it caused me confusion, a slow-mo kind of feeling, mood swings, and a typical pressure inside my head. But after 2-3 months, the effects started to fade away. And about cognitive ability, I didn't find any change, I sailed through a tough competitive exam and achieved my goal. I am more confident right now, and when I get stress or anxiety, I do breathing exercises, and it helps a lot. So it's not bad for everyone, I guess. Stay happy."

• Des...
• September 16, 2009

For Epilepsy "I started having seizures when I was 16 (I'm now 23), with no past family history. The cause of them are still unknown, and without medication I have one every 4-5 months while sleeping. My first anti-epileptic medication was Lamictal from which I suffered a severe rash. I started Keppra (500mg 2x daily) and haven't had a seizure since taking it (knock on wood). After two years of treatment, I came off from Keppra and had a seizure after 5 months without the medication. I'm back on it, and have been seizure-free for almost two years now. I do have side effects from Keppra though. I'm tired a lot, have mood swings, experience bouts of insomnia, headaches, and dizziness. Overall the medicine works well, but obviously would like to be off it."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2015

For Seizures "I'm 55/male and recently experienced a seizure during a visit at an MD clinic. Upon falling from the cart I was on and striking my head, I then had a subsequent episode two weeks later. I was started on Keppra 500 mg twice daily. It has now been almost a week and since starting, my appetite has tanked. I have had profound anxiety attacks, and insomnia along with occasional emotional lability. Also, ataxia when walking. Don't know if I want to continue this, but will speak with my neurologist next week."

• Anonymous
• January 28, 2016

For Seizures "I wish I could tell you what it is like after my husband stops taking Keppra. For my husband and me, this has been worse than his hit to the head. Major mood swings, can't sleep, can't eat, anxiety, and more. It has been horrible. The thing is everybody is different, but if you are taking Keppra and these are happening to you, speak with your doctor ASAP and try something else. It has been hard!!!!"

• JJ4...
• June 29, 2015

For Epilepsy "I was on 1500 mg of Keppra (generic) for partial seizures that progressed into a grand mal seizure. Immediately upon starting the meds, I noticed that things were different. I felt disconnected from myself, trouble with attention, word finding, coordination, mood, working, and long-term memory. However, I was seizure-free, and I needed to drive, so I pushed through, not enjoying my life as much and making terrible social decisions. Finally, after 4 years, my neurologist is helping me wean off so that I can start a family without worry. I am down to 250 mg a day, and WHOA, my whole life is changing. I feel centered, even, connected. I am so sad about how I was living my life on Keppra. Don't ruin your life."

• Fat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2014

For Seizures "I am from Bahrain. My daughter is 4 years old, she got grand mal seizures, and doctors prescribed her Keppra syrup (oral). Since 18 days, no seizure, but we feel side effects like mood changes, and one time minor rashes appeared on her face, but it went away after 3 days. So far, we are happy with Keppra, and I hope and pray that it will treat her epilepsy."

• 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."

• EKR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2013

For Epilepsy "I started taking Keppra 500 MG twice a day 2 weeks ago after being hospitalized for a tonic-clonic seizure lasting about a half hour. Since I started taking the 500 MG, I used to fall asleep for more than 8 hours at a time. I've gotten a few headaches, but nothing as serious as the ones I used to get before. My reaction/talking/thinking time was definitely slowed down, but it's improved a lot. The first week I used to sleep the whole night through, now it's reversed where I can't stay asleep all night. I noticed my mood has changed and mostly for the worse (angry all the time). Really frustrating to adjust to but hoping for the best. Seizure-free so far!"

• New...
• February 21, 2015

For Seizures "I'm over 65, male, in my youth, I suffered several head injuries, some of these were diagnosed as concussions. I was involved in a motor accident in 2000 with a severe head injury. Soon thereafter, I started to have auras followed by migraines. In 2010, I started having myoclonic jerks that would awaken me 3 to 4 times at night. In 2013, the jerks became so severe that I visited a neurosurgeon. After scans, etc., I was diagnosed with partial epilepsy. In March 2014, I had a seizure in my sleep. Taken to the hospital and put on Keppra by the neurosurgeon. I take 750 mg at night and 500 in the morning. Auras and migraines have decreased, but my mood swings have been getting worse, changed personality, overreaction, I feel like I'm bipolar, it's affecting my marriage."

• 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."

• Dia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2015

For Seizures "I had my first seizure in February 2014 and was prescribed Keppra. I took it for a while and experienced all the symptoms as everyone else: depression, fatigue, mood swings, hallucinations, etc. You name it, I had it. I had no energy, and all I could do was sleep. I got tired of living like that and one day decided to stop taking them, bad move. It was fine for 4 days, I was energized and happy, but on that day, I had another seizure. I told my doctor, and he changed my prescription to Trileptal. I have been on it since that day, and the only side effect I think I have would be hair thinning."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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?"