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Keppra and vitamin B deficiency?
Sun, 12/07/2008 - 16:27Hi
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
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.