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Keppra and vitamin B deficiency?

Sun, 12/07/2008 - 16:27
Topic: Medication Issues

Hi

I have been on Keppra for a few years, and experienced the not-so-uncommon increased anxiety and depression.  I recently read an anecdotal report about vitamin B6 deficiency occuring with some patients on Keppra.  Does anyone have a citation for the paper that reports this?  I can't seem to find it on pub med or medline.  Anyone here on Keppra had a vitamin B6 blood level checked that came back low/deficient?  

I began a trial of 100 mg Vitamin B6 about 2 weeks ago, and feel significantly better (mood).  It's really amazing, but I'm tempted to discontinue and see if my signs of depression/anxiety return.  If they do- maybe check a vitamin B6 blood level to see if I'm truly deficient on Keppra.  

 I'd be curious to hear others experience with treating keppra mood side effects with vitamin B6.

 Thanks!

 

Lilian

Comments

Re: Keppra and vitamin B deficiency?

Submitted by chrys on Fri, 2010-09-03 - 09:18
Taking a supplement high in vitamin B has also made a massive difference to my mood. I don't think that the Keppra causes the deficiency per se. Vitamin B has to be metabolised in the liver and with the AED's dominating liver function, a lot of it gets dumped through the urine before its metabolised.

Re: Keppra and vitamin B deficiency?

Submitted by Addibaby on Fri, 2010-09-03 - 09:37
My doctor told me to use B vitamins to suppliment. He said it could counteract some off the side effect of the medicine, like drowsiness.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy

Submitted by zenpie on Thu, 2019-11-28 - 16:17
I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was in the 2nd grade. I took many medications, however they never helped with my seizures. But then my doctor gave me keppra and vitamin B6. I never understood why I needed vitamin B6 until sophomore year when I decided to stop taking it. I went through depression, and made regrettable decisions I cannot take back. I had suicidal thoughts and more. I realized that I was vitamin B6 deficient so, I decided to take my vitamins back again and it cleared my mind a lot. It helped me think straight, and it controlled a lot of my behaviors.Vitamin B6 is to balance out Keppra's side effects (which has many). Without vitamin B6 it could cause a great amount of side effects. I personally suggest you also consult your doctor to make sure if your specifically deficient in vitamin B6.

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