Levetiracetam and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ave...
• February 13, 2022

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Not a big fan, but I have been taking it for over 2 years. It's up to 1000 mg at night, 750 in the morning. No seizures, but minor panic attacks, and the mood swings are on and off. If I miss 1 day or run out, I am guaranteed to have a seizure. I don't like it or the moods. I went from an ADHD hype kid to sitting around doing nothing. It's like taking the meds to sit down and chill, a motivation reducer and mood swings. If I could have never started the meds and have a seizure or 2 a year, I would have done that instead. Taking all these meds every day, to miss 1 day and be guaranteed to have a seizure, is just backwards. Hard to move around freely taking all the meds."

• red...
• November 19, 2021

For Seizures "This medication is used for my almost 17-year-old son who was diagnosed with JME at 12. He had 3 tonic-clonic seizures. Zero seizures for 3 years, so neuro decided to attempt to wean him from meds. Two months after weaning at 15 yo, he had a relapse and was put back on 500 mg twice a day. So far, 1.5 years seizure-free, he has his license. His younger brother experienced the same thing and has the same diagnosis. As for side effects, they both experienced several weeks of severe mood swings. Physical activity helps a lot with that; we took lots of walks, played cards, drew, etc. They both swim competitively and have full lives; play instruments, traveled to Europe (including jet lag) all seizure-free with this med. We have been training them to be responsible with regular timers and discipline if they forget to take it. We are trying to set them up for success as adults. Thankful that this medication has worked so well for us."

• Pba...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2020

For Epilepsy "I'm 22 years old. Had a brain hemorrhage at the age of 19, later had an open head surgery for AVM at 20. Been taking Levipill 500 mg twice a day since then. Thankfully, I had no seizures or epilepsy to date, but the side effects are worse. I have horrible mood swings, agitation, lack of finding words to speak, zoned out, not able to socialize with anyone, even family, prefer being alone, irritability, can't control emotions, crying a lot, suicidal thoughts. What I would easily sweep under the carpet, those things outrage me now. Really want to share my feelings, I'm not this, but I don't know why I can't. Want to get rid of this ASAP, but the doctor says I need to take this lifelong to avoid seizures. Can't get worse!!"

• Jo4...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2023

For Epilepsy "I am currently taking a medication called levetiracetam at a dose of 750 mg combined with a 250 mg tablet, resulting in a total of 1000 mg, twice a day - once in the morning and once at night. Additionally, I am taking 400 mg of Tegretol. Since I started taking the increased dosage of 1000 mg, I have been feeling overwhelmed. I haven't experienced any mood swings or negative effects, but rather a general sense of being spaced out. Is it normal to feel this way while taking this medication? When I was only taking the 750 mg dose, I felt fine. However, due to an increase in seizures, I had to raise my dosage. Based on what I have read, feeling overwhelmed is not a common experience. Most of the information I came across described people having negative experiences. I'm just wondering if anyone else has felt similarly overwhelmed while taking this medication."

• pat...
• December 27, 2007

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Keppra has been a difficult drug for me. I have had mood swings, mouth sores, no sleep, anger, and agitation."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2011

Levetiracetam for Seizures "Had very bad side effects. Caused severe mood swings."