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UPDATED: Thu, 10/29/2009 - 9:09am

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RandR
RandR

Anyone transitioning to Keppra from Trileptal (both generic) after an unexplained breakthrough seizure?

Is there anyone else who has transitioned to Keppra (generic: levetiracetam) from Trileptal (generic: oxcarbazepine)? Any tips or insights to share?

First day is today. For two weeks will take one 500mg tablet of levetiracetam with my regular oxcarbazepine doses of 600mg at lunch and at bedtime. Then after two weeks, the levetiracetam dose will go up to 1000mg (two tablets) at lunch and at bedtime. If this works, the plan is to stop taking oxcarbazepine. 

Neuro suggested this because of a breakthrough seizure a week ago when waking up in bed, even though all oxcarbazepine meds were taken properly and blood work showed that med levels should have been therapeutic.

History: Male, age 39, first seizure at age 30 in early 2001, took Dilantin until around 2004 when displeased with side effects and switched neuros, but no new seizures. New neuro prescribed name brand Trileptal which had fewer side effects. Took that from 2004 on, no new seizures, and mail order pharmacy switched to generic oxcarbazepine approximately 2006 or 2007, continued with oxcarbazepine with no new seizures or side effects. This 2009 calendar year: two seizures from forgetting to take nightime dose of oxcarbazepine that occurred in morning of next day, but these were attributed to failure to take medication. The breakthrough seizure last week had no explanation because medication was taken properly, so neuro determined the medication was no longer appropriate as a solution to prevent seizures.  Keppra (generic: levetiracetam) is the first new medication neuro is recommending to try. 

 

By RandR at Thu, 10/29/2009 - 9:09am | 6 views | 0 comments