Warning: Risks and benefits of using Keppra for Epilepsy 

agree, see your doctor. We always hate so stop an anticonvulsant that is working but i NEVER keep a patient on Keppra if it causes behavioral changes and i am sure those changes are from keppra. you are on the right track ask your doctor

@@Dadsezso please keep us updated on your progress. good luck.

I stopped all meds in 2012 because of s/effects. The drugs took my seizures from 2 a year to 2-5 a month. I have suffered seizures which are now drop seizures. I am starting Carnivore after trying variations of ketovore that helped but did not stop seizures

I hate you have a bad experience but side effects are just that, side effects. Though rare, it doesnt sound like a big deal when we explain this side effect to EVERY new patient we put on keppra until they get it. THEN THAT SIDE EFFECT IS A VERY BIG DEAL. I tell every patient about this rare side effect which can be extreme. Unfortunately, there is NO anticonvulsant that does not have baggage. I bet many of these comments from who patients came from patients who did not have a discussion about this rare side effect. Keppra could have been stopped very quickly. If you dont warn a patient, many people just think you are crazy and dont think it could be the drug. Thank you for your direct but very professional comment. Good luck.

I had this issue when they tried to put me on Briviact instead of Keppra. I almost went into status epilepticus. It really depends on the person how the meds affect you. ​@@LifeIsWonderful675

you should never take it again. Maybe try a Medic alert type necklace with this on it as an allergy

So, my dad has been having seizures for 3 years now. They always happen from 4 am to 9am in morning before getting out of bed, with the exception of last one in early that happened at 5pm. I think these are being cause by a lack of electrolytes. He drinks probably too much water. He does drink an electrolyte drink packet mixed in a bottle water usually early morning. However, I don't know how much he is absorbing the electrolytes. I have a feeling that most of it is being washed through without absorbing. I base this on my on tests on myself. It's good but not that great. That leads me to electrolyte pills. I've been taking these and it makes me more alert and keeps my energy levels very strong throughout the day. Now I don't have seizures though. Anyhow , since giving him electrolyte pills I've noticed he has less moments of staring out into space. The month of May was really bad for him doing this. Almost that dementia look. Now a month after his worst seizure yet and he is better that he has been this last year. We have been taking the tablets 1 in morning , 1 in afternoon , and 1 before bed. We are in a serious heat wave so if they have been out or I'm out or working I might take an extra 1 some days. We are using electrolyte hydration tablets from Nutra Harmony. We got them on Amazon. They are pretty cheap and come in 120 black bottle. I'm sure there are other ones just the same. The dose calls for 2 but 1 most of the time seems to work great. So, a long way to say, if you have seizures or really for everyone take electrolyte tablets. . I notice they are way better than the packets. I like the packets too but I know the absorption from tablets are way better. I think at least for my dad , the seizures are from a lack of electrolytes. It's worth the try. I think everyone is so dehydrated and don't realize it. Hydration isn't just water drinking.

@@ThebraindoctorMD This is actually a great idea thanks for the help Good Sir. I appreciate ya stopping by with some advice Doc means a lot.

@@Detailingcrazy I can say that one of my episodes bout 2 months ago I was told in the ER I seized up due to low sodium! My wife went online bought a bottle of electrolyte tablets, she was super excited that’s what the only root cause of my seizures were. Definitely worth a shot, however mine occur at least once a month. From like 23rd-28th of each month they seem to happen. Regardless of what medicine and how much I’m prescribed they still occur like clock work! I served a bit over a decade and when I was discharged I wanna say my first episode happened about 1-2 years after I had been out. It’s been about 4 years now. I miss being able to do what I used to. Now I feel like a huge burden on my family, friends and those closest to me. I’m able to get a small Aura effect before them but I can get out maybe 1-2 words Which is usually FUCK BABE then I’m stuck staring into nothingness, licking my lips, and I wake up a day later in the ER with hardly no recollection of what happened. Teeth are getting chipped more and more , each time and somehow I dislodged an entire tooth! They really drain the life and motivation out of me I pray the best for those who have to deal with similar issues like me. I couldn’t wish this on my worst enemy! Still to this day I wonder what I did to bring this on. Was it a decision I made ? A medication I was given? Many meds in the Army had side effects of seizures. Wish you and your loved ones the best! I guarantee he appreciates the love and support!

@@Detailingcrazy I cannot recommend this. Be careful with potassium. i would discuss this with his internist and have frequent chem profiles, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels done if you are convinced this works. a young person with good kidneys probably would be a less risk. Good luck. Its good to have a child who cares about his/her daddy

talk to your doctor and get it changed. All anticonvulsants affect memory to some point but not usually noticeable. always another option. In this setting I like Lamictal best if it fits your seizure type, but many other choices

I always get a patient off keppra if they have any personality change and I NEVER use dilantin long term anymore and particularly in a women: hair loss, hirsutism, terrible birth defects, severe gingival hyperplasia, ataxia, long term cerebellar atrophy. But, unfortunately, as you change drugs your seizure frequency can escalated. I have NO patients on keppra who developed the physchological side effects. they are not something that family or patient can live with

you need to change anticonvulsants. See an experienced neurologist and change good luck

Same. “Kepprage” destroyed my personality, and many relationships as a result.

@@ThebraindoctorMD I do have an appointment, unfortunately I live in Canada and to see a specialist it is a 3 to 6 month wait. But it's coming soon, just got to hold on a little longer. They knew I had PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks and depression, so after doing some research i have no idea why they even put me on this medication in the first place. Oh well tho, appreciate the response. Have a good one.

@@Christopher-he6is same sorry to hear that, some doctors dont seem to know enough about 80% of the medications they prescribe. Which is unfortunate. Or they just choose not to tell you about the bad side effects, which is negligence in my eyes.

I just wonder if our Health Care Providers are explaining this idiosyncratic reaction when they prescribe this drug. We always do and never get to this point. So sorry you went through this.

yes, every patient and their family needs to be warned. What you went through and what you read in the comments in my channel are very real but very rare. Most people do well on Keppra. Every drug has a "skeleton in the closet". This is Keppra's. If you had been told this was a rare, but real side effect; you could have talked to your doctor and stopped it sooner. i hate you went through this. It is a frightening side effect when it occurs

talk to your doctor and change it. The only way to know if keppra is causing this is to get off of it and see it it resolves. I NEVER keep a patient on Keppra if any psychological side effects

it is very hard to change an anticonvulsant that controls a patients seizures. If you have been seizure free since 2019, you may be able to get off anticonvulsants if a normal MRI and EEG unless you have had a trial off already after 3 years seizure free. Talk to your doctor.

it is very, very good that MRI and EEG were normal. This just means it is just a very small scar. At 23 you have a good chance to outgrow these. it bothers alot of patients when all tests are normal, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. you dont want a brain tumor, stroke, scar, etc. You want all to me normal because the long term prognosis is so much better good luck

good luck. If no abnormalities on MRI or EEG, I would ask again in three years. If f/u EEG and MRI is normal, many young people can get off anticonvulsants

be very careful with Vitamin B6. it can cause neuropathy at high dosages. I am not aware you need to take it with any anticonvulsant. There are some drugs that cause vitamin B6 deficiency(i.e . TB drugs) but it is a vitamin you should clearly have instructions from your doctor. Ask you doctor about this.

Vitamin B1 is good to nerves calm down.

Not a common side effect. The only way to know is to stop it and see if you get back to your old self. If you are sure it is keppra, get your doctor to change it. I never keep a patient on a drug that causes personality side effects that are unpleaseant

good luck. Long term as I have said before, Lamictal and Keppra are my favorites, but yes they have their baggage too.Side effects are just that.... side effects, but not everyone gets the side effects. I suspect a million patients are taking these two drugs with great success. You have what sounds like a very good, University level Neurologist Good luck

I’ve been on Keppra for 8 years and it’s never made me violent. It has ensured no more grand-mals , but down side however is that it still leaves me with absences and feelings of anxiety / dread, about once a fortnight. I’d do anything to get rid of them.

I tell every patient that Keppra has an idiopathic reaction where it can cause very bizarre irrational behavioral changes. It has not, to my knowledge, been described to cause violent or homocidal tendencies but just very bizarre behavior. I warm people of this because families just think they are going crazy. For example, i had one patient who was getting more and more bizarre and his wife sent him to the grocery store for milk and cream and he went to the post office. He argued with the postmaster and would not leave until he was sold milk and cream. He was not violent just crazy. I really think when bad it reminds me of an early schizophrenic. Every time i see this it is just bizarre thought processes. It is very rare but very bad. We actually use keppra in agitated alzheimer's patients to calm them done so the is clearly an idiosyncratic reaction. Keppra and Lamictal are my favorite two antidepressants because they are so safe but each drug has its own "skeleton in the closet"

it is an unfortunate uncommon side effect. What I hate in a patient like you is that the next drug we try might not control your seizures. So if your doctor stops keppra for this the next anticonvulsant may not work or you may have break through seizures then you cant drive again for 6-12 months. you might ask your doctor is something like effexor, paxil, or cymbalta might work. NOT wellbutrin since it can cause seizure. good luck

@@ThebraindoctorMD Thanks for that What would you suggest for my residual (mild) absence seizures and occasional feelings of deja vu / impending doom? GP was going to give me serotonin, then noticed it lowers the seizure threshold, so told me to go and cope with them. They only happen about twice a month, but can be very unsettling.

@@ThebraindoctorMD Your advice is appreciated. Thanks

I would definitely seek an admission to a University epilepsy unit for 24 hour EEG videotelemety. This is where he is on a EEG and a video camera 24/7 until he has a seizure so they can see seizure source. It might even mean weaning off medicine till he has a seizure they can see. This is the ONLY way you can get the answers you need. Diagnosis is king.

I never stop an anticonvulsant that works. If she has not developed leukopenia or hyponatremia, then i would talk to him about staying on tegretol it is a very old drug but studies show it works as well as the new anticonvulsants

it is a great drug. As I have said, keppra and lamictal are by far my favorite anticonvulsants. Every drug has "skeleton's in the closet" but side effects are just that, but it doesnt mean a patient will get them. In this rare side effect, patients just need to be aware

I’m on 500 twice a day stopped my full seizures but I’m still have focal seizures usually once a month around 5/7 a day then go away for a month . Shall I up my dose ??

@@ThebraindoctorMD I'm on 500 twice a day stopped my full seizures but l'm still have focal seizures usually once a month around 5/7 a day then go away for a month . Shall l up my dose ??thanks

so happy for her

great

possible, but if you are taking it for seizures and are controlled, I would not change it. Just talk to your doctor about treatment options i dont think i have ever had a patient who told me that he had headaches right after taking keppra . Interesting

good response to keppra. Idiopathic epilepsy is usually from just a few cells so you dont find a "cause". That is good. You dont want a structural lesion on MRI good luck

@ThebraindoctorMD they did something where they injected me with some sorta thing and ran a mri with bunch lights that flashed but it didn't do anything. Guess I'll never knw.

almost none. we do wean off of it to be safe, but it does not cause withdrawal or withdrawal seizures like some of the old anticonvulsants To be safe, wean one a week till off is usual

@@ThebraindoctorMD Thank you,but im still getting dizzy spells ,tingling sensations 2 weeks later.👌

its impossible to give advice over the internet, but keppra should be out of your system in five half lives, so less than a week. you need to go see your doctor

@@ThebraindoctorMD Thanks again.x.

@@ThebraindoctorMD The effort you are putting to answer peoples questions though is highly honorable, I'm in my second year of this subjects particularly scary storm and I am very thankful for the information you have taken the time to discuss.

I dont know and I really cant make a diagnosis over the internet. I would start with maximizing your keppra up to 1500mg bid. We always hate to change a seizure medication if someone seizures are under control and we usually use anticonvulsants for lancinating pain. If your MRI and all lab is normal and that does not work, we would normally add another anticonvulsant like trileptal and try this keppra and trileptal combination. find a good epileptologist, usually a Neurologist at your local University good luch

@@ThebraindoctorMD thanks doc

there is no question that there is a future for the use of cannabis for epilepsy. Numerous studies are ongoing. Split the THC out from the cannibis and it is very useful. I am not where I can use this but I refer to UAB or Vanderbilt for this option

@@ThebraindoctorMD After I had 2 brain surgeries to reduce my seizures that's when my Epileptologist told me to start using the medical marijuana for my seizures and there is no THC in it. Also as crazy as it sounds I was taking 2 tablespoons of apple cider vineger with mother in it to lose weight and that lowered my seizures even more. My Dr. told me it was either the good protein or the good bacteria in the acv that lowered the seizures. They are doing a study on it now.