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Keppra is bad

Mon, 08/03/2009 - 00:19

I've been prescribed 1000mg Keppra to be taken twice daily.

Here are my side effects:

crippling morbid depression, uncontrollable anger and irritability - i have never in my life felt so depressed that i've wanted to kill myself until taking this medication. i've always been pretty upbeat, if a little irritable due to some minor everyday life stress like paying the bills. Now, i need to focus all of my daily attention just to suppress the suicidal thoughts and anger, like i'm a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. My neurologist says it should level off after 4 or5 weeks and then i'll feel "normal". Yeah, as if feeling like i want to die constantly is "normal".

loss of appetite and nausea - i have to force myself to eat because i don't get the urge anymore. if i don't eat, i get headaches from low blood sugar. Before taking the medication, i was a serious foodie, to the point of seriously considering being a chinese restaurant critic. Now, i can't even look at a pb&j sandwich without feeling sick to my stomach. My neurologist says i'm 75 pounds overweight anyway so its good for me to lose some weight. Feh. I'd rather have seizures than lose my love of food.

extreme sleepiness - i'm napping 5-6 hours in the afternoon, as well as sleeping my normal 7-8 hours at night. Tell me how 14 hours of sleep a day can possibly be good for you? My neurologist says not to talk to him about it until i have a sleep study done for sleep apnea. Bogus. I've never needed more than 6-7 hours sleep a night ever in my life until taking this blasted medication.

Those are the 3 major ones. I found that taking a multivitamin with b-supplements helped for about 2 days, then kind of just stopped working.

Anyone else wanna post their Keppra side effects? Maybe after a while, someone will listen.

 

Comments

Re: Keppra is bad

Submitted by cmunley86 on Thu, 2010-03-04 - 22:37
Well, I was put on 1000 mg like you and taking it twice daily. For the first few weeks, I felt really dizzy and tired. Then that went away.  I'm now on 2000 mg of Keppra a day, and am now feeling drowsy and dizzy again. I don't know if it's because of the medication being increased, or it not agreeing with me. It could be me getting a cold too. Little things still do bug me though. Didn't experience nausea though. You should get a new neurologist. He doesn't sound too friendly.

Re: Keppra is bad

Submitted by tara michelucci on Fri, 2010-03-05 - 01:58
i took that stuff for a week before i insisted going off. i agree it is horrible. we all have bad days - but rev that up by about fifty, and it's like we're all a bunch of depressed mussolinis running around screaming at our loved ones, irritated with all of the things they do. the extra sleep is likely a side effect from the depression, not apnea. get a new doc.

Re: Keppra is bad

Submitted by staceinspace on Tue, 2010-06-01 - 11:07

I am sorry to hear of your side effects with this medication.  I truly am.  Like all AED's , these medications are highly personal in nature as are their effects on the body.  Adjustment to them can take quite some time as well as finding the right therapeutic dose, if there is any for you and this particular medication.

I was on Topamax and fter 6 months of hell, I had to switch to Keppra.  I have been on Keppra off and on many times before and did not experience these side effects.

Question:  Are you taking generic or name brand?  Also different generic versions can react in your body and a lot of people do not know that either.  

Generics are all different in their bioavailability in your bloodstream so perhaps that is also the problem.  You can try different generics at your pharmacy.  When I was on Topamax I could not tolerate one generic of Topamax and had to switch to another generic and then was fine.

AED's are complicated for those who live with epilepsy and determining:

1. Dose

2.  Schedule

3.  Adjustment

4. Side Effects

5.  Whether to give up or stay the course

 Are just a few factors to work out as a collaborative effort with your neurologist who should LISTEN to you.  

I hate it when any doctor I have does not listen.  I agree.  Topamax took away my appetite.  Also my ability to taste my food which sucks.  There is a name for this..it escapes me right now..will post it when I remember it and it can cause your food or your mouth to taste like metal as well...

 I am on a smaller does of Keppra..and perhpas your dose is too high?  I am not sure..

I know this..seizure medications are difficult and the time it takes to adjust is different for all of us.  Venting about them is helpful though and you are in the right place to do that!

So vent away!  I hope that whatever your medication ends up to be that your love of food resumes and the right drug is found for you and the support you need!

I am sorry to hear of your side effects with this medication.  I truly am.  Like all AED's , these medications are highly personal in nature as are their effects on the body.  Adjustment to them can take quite some time as well as finding the right therapeutic dose, if there is any for you and this particular medication.

I was on Topamax and fter 6 months of hell, I had to switch to Keppra.  I have been on Keppra off and on many times before and did not experience these side effects.

Question:  Are you taking generic or name brand?  Also different generic versions can react in your body and a lot of people do not know that either.  

Generics are all different in their bioavailability in your bloodstream so perhaps that is also the problem.  You can try different generics at your pharmacy.  When I was on Topamax I could not tolerate one generic of Topamax and had to switch to another generic and then was fine.

AED's are complicated for those who live with epilepsy and determining:

1. Dose

2.  Schedule

3.  Adjustment

4. Side Effects

5.  Whether to give up or stay the course

 Are just a few factors to work out as a collaborative effort with your neurologist who should LISTEN to you.  

I hate it when any doctor I have does not listen.  I agree.  Topamax took away my appetite.  Also my ability to taste my food which sucks.  There is a name for this..it escapes me right now..will post it when I remember it and it can cause your food or your mouth to taste like metal as well...

 I am on a smaller does of Keppra..and perhpas your dose is too high?  I am not sure..

I know this..seizure medications are difficult and the time it takes to adjust is different for all of us.  Venting about them is helpful though and you are in the right place to do that!

So vent away!  I hope that whatever your medication ends up to be that your love of food resumes and the right drug is found for you and the support you need!

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