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Side Effects for Keppra & Can you drink alcohol??
Mon, 02/05/2007 - 02:58Topic: Medication Issues
Hi, I'm 27 and had two grand mal seizures in the past month. I don't remember anything and am pretty much out cold for 30 min afterwards, and disoriented for the remainder of the day. All my tests have come back negative and my doc has put me on 1500 mg of Keppra a day. It's only been a couple weeks, but I've noticed that I get fatigued much quicker, I've lost my appetite, and my short term memory is shot. Are these the same side effects everyone else has?? Has Keppra worked well for you?? Also, I've read all the medical forms on it and talked to the doc some, but does being on the meds mean that I need to cut out alcohol 100%? I don't really drink a lot, but would occasionally like to still have wine every now and then, but I'm not sure if I should be concerned with any possible interactions. I'd like to hear other's experiences.
Thanks.
Comments
Re: Side Effects for Keppra & Can you drink alcohol??
Submitted by alias3rn on Fri, 2007-02-09 - 20:12
Hi. Here's the thing, your liver filters your Keppra. It also filters alcohol. When you drink alcohol, your liver fights over which to work on. Alcohol usually wins. So your medication is not as effective as it would be without drinking. If you plan on getting drunk, its like not even taking your medication, and not taking it can cause a seizure. A drink here and there shouldn't interact that bad. As far as the tiredness, and forgetfullness, that could just be a side effect that might go away after you've been on the keppra for awhile. My husband is on dilantin, and had headaches for 3 months until his body got used to the side effects, and it did go away. If ever you're not sure, talk to your neurologist.
Re: Side Effects for Keppra & Can you drink alcohol??
Submitted by nicci22 on Mon, 2008-08-25 - 23:07
hi i just started keppra and it says on the keppra site that it is not filtered threw the liver like other anti-seizure medication.
I dont suggest drinking any
Submitted by pixiedust on Thu, 2007-02-08 - 19:10
I dont suggest drinking any alcohol while on medication..... not only does it counteract with the medicaton, it also can cause more seizures and god knows what else. Im on Dilantin and Lamictal and I was told not to drink alcohol at all, or even take cold medication (because they contain alcohol).