Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
How Long to Feel the Side Effects of Keppra?
Thu, 07/24/2008 - 07:57Topic: Medication Issues
I have been on Keppra 48 hours and I was wondering how long it takes to feel the side effects? I have felt the drowsiness within hours of the first dose. I know the first month is supposed to be the worst. Can anyone tell me when I will feel the side effects at their worst? I have been on Dilantin and know what an idot I became on that drug. Since I have a technical job, I need my brain to function! It seems there are very few "success" stories related to Keppra, as everyone is talking about the side effects. Or perhaps that is simply the nature of fourms and drug reviews - you tend to have users with negative reviews more likely to post than users with little side effects. I am definitely worried about the mood swings and increased depression typically associated with Keppra, so I am hoping it will not hit me hard. I have never had a weight problem, so I am hoping Keppra will not affect me in that way either. I technically do not have epilepsy since I have only had one seizure. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. This is my first post! Don't mind my username - it is a guy from a Three Stooges episode ("Jip The People").
Comments
I feel like everyone on this
Submitted by Scarlo1992 on Tue, 2019-03-12 - 11:49
I feel like everyone on this forum has horror stories of it . So I’ll give a positive feedback. I’ve been on levetiracetam 500 one a day for 2 weeks now and my side effects are nothing like the people commenting below. I take mine around 6:45pm before bedtime and wake up at 5am for work and I feel just fine. ( so if there are any weird side effects I’m sleeping it off) It helps me fall asleep and not be restless. When I work I feel fine. My job is very active so maybe that’s a reason why I don’t get angry at things easily or have bad thoughts. Only side effects I have is when I have a minute to sit at work I feel dizzy, but not enough to faint. I do get irritated at times but I’ve always been like that so I know how to keep to myself and not lash out.My advice is if you’re taking it once a day to take it an hour or two before bedtime when you’re home so you can sleep through the weird feelings of the side effects if you have any.
Oh my god. I feel like I'm
Submitted by Kristel on Mon, 2018-08-13 - 17:10
Oh my god. I feel like I'm going crazy. My focal epilepsy was diagnosed around 15yrs ago, totally out of the blue. Started only as numbness and pins & needles sensation in my right foot. It now affects to entire right side - which is not that odd as I had a brain tumour removed on the left side allbeit in 1983 when i was very young. I remember going through all the anticonvulsants after my diagnosis, some mentioned on here, but finally settling on Keppra. 3 weeks ago, due to increased siezures, I was advised to increase from 750 twice a day to 1000 twice per day. First couple of weeks I had the headaches, dizziness and nausea - I could cope with them. However, the depression has now kicked in. BIG STYLE. Along with suicidal thoughts - though I know I won't act on them. From what I recall these side effects can take one to two months to go.I am now in serious trouble at work - I have a high absence rate due to epilepsy, so part of the reason for this increase was so that long term I'd be absent far less often. Yet because I went sick a week ago with a stomach ache - which I now realise was actually the side effects and not just 'a bug - I'm going to end up on a written warning. Having to organise getting a union rep and just generally keep my sh*t together, forcing myself in to work and crying daily are really not helping. Nor the blurred vision.Someone PLEASE tell me this gets easier. These are the most acute side effects I recall having with a Keppra increase.