Levetiracetam for Epilepsy User Reviews

• Scott
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "When first put on keppra, things seemed to be fine. But over time, when I had my annual neuro appointment and I’d tell them of any seizures I’d had that year, they’d up the keppra dosage. And the more keppra I took, the more seizures I had. I didn’t realize that till later. At one point I was on 4000mg (?too much?) of the XR version daily. That’s when I figured that the keppra was the culprit to more frequent seizures. And the after effects of a seizure while on that dosage lasted for days. They were major depression, headache and minor after shocks like another seizure was going to happen. In the past three years I’m working my way slowly off this drug. Now no longer on the XR version, just regular immediate release pills. On 500mg a day. I have less seizures. And if I do, I recover from them within an hour or so. One more thing. On the Keppa XR, keppra rage was no joke. I’d be fine. The out of the blue, just all hateful and mad for no reason. Any little thing would set me off."

• Bongo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 1, 2024

Keppra (levetiracetam) "Between 1986 until 2003 I had intractable tertiary epilepsy due to a brain injury I incurred when I had a brain abscess in 1980. Intractable tertiary is neurospeak for 'Don't know what to do with him!'. I tried lots of different AEDs but nothing worked. That is until Keppra came along in 2003. It was my 'golden bullet'. The drug that cured me. From having more than 30 seizures per week, I went down to 0 seizures per week. Never had anything since. I now take a cocktail of 3 AEDs per day but have lived a 'normal' life since then. Never experienced any emotional changes. This drug is wonderful. I am not an employee of the manufacturer, just an ordinary guy with epilepsy. We are all different and that is my experience."

• namor
• December 3, 2023

Keppra (levetiracetam) "Been on Keppra 10 years and I don't have any of the side effects others have. My weight gain is my own fault, i.e., love cheesecake. No anger issues. I am 64 and have been on these pills for 40 years. Not sure about everyone else, but it has helped me."

• Bano
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "Worst drug ever in my opinion!!! Here were my side effects- irritability, paranoia, anxiety, nausea, loss of appetite, numbness and tingling in my arms and legs, it would make my aura seizures come more often than they normally would without medication, felt dizzy and light headed, which would worsen during an aura seizure. Made me get aura seizures when I was still asleep and it would wake me up! Made me feel suicidal also. I took the medication for about six months and have had more than enough of it. Was tired each day I could barely get up to do normal things, even to cook. I decided to wean off myself, I decreased dose to half a tablet in morning, hoping it would stop at the very least my aura seizures in my sleep, but it didn’t help. I then thought after a few months- enough is enough. After taking half a tablet in morning for few months I stopped taking it completely. Never felt better. Wouldn’t go back on it if my life depended on it."

• CBano
• June 9, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I have been on leviteracetam (Keppra) for almost 6 years now before that I was on sodium valporate. In the beginning it caused me confusion, slowmo kind of feeling, mood swings and a typical pressure inside my head. But after 2-3 months the effects started to fade away. And about cognitive ability, I didn't find any change, I sailed through tough competitive exam and achieved my goal. I am more confidant right now, and when I get stress or anxiety I do breathing exercise and it helps a lot. So its not bad for everyone I guess. Stay happy."

• Rev
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "Being on Keppra gave me side effects like living a real life nightmare. I heard voices in my head. I saw demons. People's faces shifted and everyone was out to get me. This drug twisted reality and turned my world upside down in only 11 days. Now my seizures are out of control and my life will never be the same."

• Des
• September 16, 2009

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I started having seizures when I was 16 (I'm now 23), with no past family history. The cause of them are still unknown, and without medication I have one every 4-5 months while sleeping. My first anti-epileptic medication was Lamictal from which I suffered a severe rash. I started Keppra (500mg 2x daily) and haven't had a seizure since taking it (knock on wood). After two years of treatment, I came off from Keppra and had a seizure after 5 months without the medication. I'm back on it, and have been seizure-free for almost two years now. I do have side effects from Keppra though. I'm tired a lot, have mood swings, experience bouts of insomnia, headaches, and dizziness. Overall the medicine works well, but obviously would like to be off it."

• Sweet...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 2, 2018

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I started having seizures as a teenager. I have simple and complex partial. I have found that taking Keppra along with Tegretol XR has kept me stable. Another part is making sure you know your triggers (stress, flashing lights, hormonal changes, illness, alcohol, roller coasters, lack of sleep or food, dehydration, etc and avoiding, or at least try to minimize them. The combination of the right medication and knowing yourself and your illness goes a long way."

• JJ40
• June 29, 2015

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I was on 1500mg of Keppra (generic) for partial seizures that progressed into a grand mal seizure. Immediately upon starting the meds, I noticed that things were different. I felt disconnected from myself, trouble with attention, word finding, coordination, mood, working and longterm memory. However, I was seizure free and I needed to drive so I pushed through, not enjoying my life as much and making terrible social decisions. Finally after 4 years, my neurologist is helping me wean off so that I can start a family without worry. I am down to 250mg a day and WHOA my whole life is changing. I feel centered, even, connected. I am so sad about how I was living my life on Keppra. Don't ruin your life "

• Grace
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 18, 2023

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I’m thankful for this drug. It allowed me to have two healthy children. I was originally on depakote, my pediatric neurologist thought it was a good idea to put me on it, even though I was 17 and eventually wanted kids. I ended up with an autistic child with special needs. I vowed never to have children again as long as I was on depakote. I wish my first neurologist put me on keppra. Keppra I still have mixed feelings on. I’m thankful I was able to transition to it and I’ve been seizure free on it for several years. I had a few breakthrough seizures after having my last child but an increase in dose resolved that. I absolutely experience the rage however and overwhelming emotions. I do have suicidal thoughts at times, but I am a single mom and not in a position to try a new drug since it is controlling my seizures. The rage is real, people aren’t exaggerating, but to me I’d rather be seizure free and live an independent life, than risk my freedom for rage issues."

• Blazeem
• October 15, 2015

Keppra (levetiracetam) "When I first started jeopardy I noticed instability with my emotions, especially anger. After a complete rage out I decided to do some research and discovered that taking a vitamin b6 supplement helps to reduce or eliminate this effect. The results were instantanious with me. If you take keppra I strongly recommend getting the b6 supplement. I take 1 in the morning with breakfast."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 17, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I have been on Keppra for 5 years along with lamictal at first didn't realize any side effects of Keppra but once I got taken off lamictal the side affects appeared, didn't feel like myself. Became very depressed irritable and anxiety through the roof. Would get intrusive thoughts and found out from my new neurologist that it's all from the medication KEPPRA."

• crazy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2018

Keppra XR (levetiracetam) "I've been on Keppra XR 500mg ( taking 4 a day, 2 at night 2 in morning) it was great at first but then I started to get really irritable, then along came anxiety and depression, in 2016 I had a son ( had 1 seizure during pregnancy) and 2017 had a daughter ( same scenario) I also had post-partum depression from when I had my son, its worsened over those two years. this will be my 5th year on it and im not satisfied with it at all, I've tried changing my medicine but they won't because it stopped my seizures (grand mal) and I've tried telling them about the depression and anxiety but all they asked "why didn't you tell us this before" but most people deny the fact they have anxiety and depression (like me) to avoid being put on other meds, I've tried anxiety and depression medicine but nothing worked. All I want is off this medicine to not feel like a zombie anymore."

• Marri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2013

Keppra (levetiracetam) "After EEG showed seizure activity, Neurologist started me on 500mg/day Keppra. At the 4 hr mark, I felt very spaced out. Couldn't think, hazy, slurring speech, lethargic, etc. Neuro suggested I start taking at night, so that I could "sleep through" the odd feeling. Now, I WAKE up at the 4 hr mark... on the dot, every single night. I still feel spaced out, and find it hard to get comfortable and fall back asleep. Takes me about an hour to fall back asleep. Sleep disturbances cause me to feel tired during day."

• EKR
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2013

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I started taking Keppra 500MG twice a day 2 weeks ago after being hospitalized for a tonic-clonic seizure lasting about a half hour. Since I started taking the 500MG, I used to fall asleep for more than 8 hours at a time. I've gotten a few headaches, but nothing as serious as the ones I used to get before. My reaction/talking/thinking time was definitely slowed down, but its improved a lot. The first week I used to sleep the whole night through, now its reversed where I can't stay asleep all night. I noticed my mood has changed and mostly for the worse (angry all the time). Really frustrating to adjust to but hoping for the best. Seizure-free so far!"

• Sam
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "My 16 yr old daughter has been on this medicine for a little over a year now and since starting it, has not had another grand mal seizure. The side effects that she got when first starting have decreased significantly or are gone completely. Prior to starting this medicine, she had 2 grand mal seizures and was subsequently diagnosed via EEG with epilepsy. Since she has been seizure free since starting this medicine I can only say that it does what it is intended to do......cease seizures. So I give it a definite thumbs up!"

• Brand...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2014

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I had my first seizure over 3 years ago at the age of 23. Upon receiving a MRI scan I learned that I had a brain tumor called pleomorfic xantro Astro sytoma. After having it removed I was put on Keppra XR 1500mg twice a day and have been seizure free ever since. However recently I have been having new side effects appear. At first the only side effect I had was exhaustion and occasional insomnia however over the past two weeks I have had tingling sensations on my scalp and bouts of vertigo and I am very scared about what this could mean I hope everyone else is doing well."

• April...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2015

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I was having difficulty getting diagnosed because I was not having grand mal seizures. I was, however, having about 80 simple partial seizures a month for 10 years straight. We thought maybe anxiety. Nothing was picked up on scans cause it was impossible for me to know exactly when it would happen, so it was never happening while scans were performed. Finally, 10 years later, they turned into grand mals. I started on Keppra 2 years ago and have not had a single seizure since. 3500mg daily. To go from 80 a month to NONE at all... This stuff had given me my life back. And no side effects for me!"

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2016

Keppra (levetiracetam) "This medication created the worst two years of my life. I started having seizures my sophomore year of college and am now a senior and I have been on Keppra the past two years. The doctors never explained the severe side effects that would go along with this horrible drug. I used to be always a happy kid and since I started taking Keppra I constantly dealt with mood swings, uncontrollable anger, severe depression, constant thoughts of suicide, weight gain, and hair loss! I can't believe it took me such a long time to get off of this stupid drug. The seizures never stopped either and all the doctors would do is increase my dosage every time. I'm currently at 3000mg a day and am slowly weeding myself off of this drug and going all natural."

• bee
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 27, 2023

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I have had a bad experience taking Keppra. The longer I took it, the worse my symptoms were. Aside from epilepsy, I have depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Keppra made me paranoid, and suicidal, and I heard so many voices in my head. I thought these side effects were related to my bipolar disorder, it did not occur to me that the changes in my thoughts and behaviors were related to Keppra. It wasn't until I had a nervous breakdown and my parents told me I need to talk to my doctor about switching medications that I realized Keppra was only heightening my mental disorders. I do not recommend Keppra at all if you experience any mental health issues."

• Lizzeh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2013

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I just had my third seizure and I was switched from Topamax to Keppra. I find that this medicine makes me hyper and then extremely tired. I am 18 years of age and I experience the depression side effect and almost all of the side effects. Really wanting to find a right balance."

• OwenD
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I have been on Keppra for 12 years and at first it improved my seizures, been epileptic for 29 years. However side effects are brutal. The lack of sleep affects my day to day life the depression and panic attacks are awful and the rage can be horrendous. Generally I’m a calm person, I meditate daily and have to to keep from screaming at everything. It’s like always being at your worst and there are days you question your own sanity or the point of carrying on. I am trying to convince my neurologists to find an alternative to this awful tablet as I’m now at the point where I have panic attacks even leaving my bedroom, my vision is constantly blurred and flickering and it feels like I have a CONSTANT aura as I get pre seizure. I’m lucky enough to have not had the suicidal thoughts but even without them I can sympathise with those who do as it may well seem the only way out."

• Not...
• July 29, 2015

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I have been on Keppra for two years and would not recommend it. Keppra greatly reduced the frequency and severity of my seizures BUT it did so at a cost. Since starting Keppra I've consistently experienced depression, anxiety, and compulsive suicidal thoughts. It has significantly impacted my quality of life in terms of mental health."

• Belle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

Keppra (levetiracetam) "Keppra not only increased my seizures from 3 a year to 5-7 grand mals a week but also kept me conscious during them so that I was able to feel every excruciating moment. Normally the human brain blacks out during a seizure. Thanks to this drug, I was able to feel and remember my muscles tightening and fighting against each other, my head trying to hit again the floor and my legs and arms trying to kick and beat the air. As soon as I was able I switched doctors and medication. This needs to be pulled from the shelves!!!!!!"

• carol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

Keppra (levetiracetam) "I was tried on Keppra for a short period as a possible substitute for Dilantin, with the results that; it did control my seizures, but after just two weeks, to borrow from the prescribing information it produced "hostile and aggressive behavior" over even the slightest thing. That was the first time. The second time that I was tried on Keppra, I spent a year on probation for assault. You can guess my opinion It works well for some people, but I fear it's not as safe as the UCB and the FDA claim."