Keppra for Seizures User Reviews

• Cleo
• March 18, 2021

"Seven years ago my neurologist put me on Keppra because nothing else had worked to date in controlling my seizures. I gained 100 lbs in a year and had anger blowups. I would not give this drug to an enemy."

• HCooper
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2023

"After reading all of the horrible reviews on this website, I was terrified of taking this pill after having my first seizure. I was so scared to start the medicine as I was afraid it was going to change the happy, positive person that I am. After taking this medicine (500 mg) for a year and a half, I'm happy to report that I am still the same happy, upbeat person while no longer having seizures. When I first started taking the medicine, I was super tired for the first few weeks but that’s it! So happy it ended up being better than expected!"

• RJano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2019

"Over 2 years in now and Keppra is keeping my seizures away, but the 2500mg a day has made me a different person for sure. I don’t feel as excited to socialize as much. I feel fatigued a lot, can easily doze off if not doing anything that requires my attention. Old memories can bring on strong emotions that normally wouldn’t before, and my memory is not nearly as strong as it was. I am constantly setting reminders for things I should easily remember."

• Divorce...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2019

"This is the most horrible medication I have ever taken. My usual personality is calm, reasonable, optimistic, positive, etc. Well, not with this medication. My husband and I have been married for 43 years; we have had our ups and downs but never thought of divorce. With this medication, my husband stood by me. What we went through was uncontrollable: everything, crying, screaming, unreasonable, and just plain hysteria. He was a saint. I, on the other hand, was totally out of control and could not stop myself no matter how hard I tried."

• Nelly
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2019

"Absolutely horrible experience. I was prescribed this after having a breakthrough seizure as part of trying new meds. On Keppra, my personality changed 100%. I was despondent, hated life, had no motivation, and cried at the drop of a hat. Finally, I knew it was time to go to the doctor to transition off when I hit such a low low. Also started hearing voices. Never once did such dark thoughts occur to me until this - I imagine this is what it’s like to be possessed."

• Winniw
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2021

"This drug is horrific and should not exist and any doctors who prescribe it/refuse to take their patients off of it when asked are just awful. My mum was put on this and within 2-3 days of starting it she went from being a happy relaxed person to having multiple panic attacks a day which continued in severity as the longer the drug was in her system. She also started having very negative thoughts eventually resulting in her giving up her will to fight her underlying disease (which she was actually improving a lot). She passed away 3.5 weeks after starting Keppra."

• Jenna...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 23, 2016

"I've been on every seizure medication invented. Keppra or generic Levetiracetam is by far the worst one I've been on. The side effects have ruined my life. I gained over 45 pounds the first year on it. I am now almost 70 pounds heavier than I was before I started taking the medication. I can't work anymore because I have severe depression, anxiety, & insomnia. I tell people off for the craziest things & am super paranoid all the time. Despite that, I take antidepressants, anxiety & sleeping meds. I used to be a terrific nurse, winning awards & receiving all kinds of gratitude. Now I can no longer do anything. I am terrified to leave the house, take a shower, clean, or go anywhere. I have no life, I just exist. Can't wait to get off this!"

• Guscr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2019

"I have been using Keppra now for over a year. I have had no side effects from it whatsoever, maybe occasionally my short-term memory is not 100%, but apart from that, I am amazed at it. Compared to the drugs I was taking as a child, Keppra has kept me seizure-free for over a year now."

• Renat...
• November 20, 2013

"I had surgery for a benign brain tumor over 8 yrs. ago; Gamma Knife radiation surgery 3 yrs. ago. The Gamma Knife surgery left me with scar tissue that caused me to have my first partial seizure. This required me to remain on seizure medication, levetiracetam. To prevent recurrent seizures, I was on a dose of 1,000 mg. / 2x's day. I was on this dosage for over 2 yrs. No seizures, but side effects crept up slowly: bad memory loss, difficulty finding words, fatigue, weight gain. Then, the intolerable ones: deep depression, mood swings, crazy flip-out anger. It just kept getting worse, until I couldn't wait to get off of it! My doctor called it the 'Keppra Rage'. I guess this is a well-known side effect that I could not tolerate."

• Sarai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2017

"Although this drug has paused my seizure activity, I feel like a different person. The first month, my mood swings were unreal and almost indescribable. I'd wake up so happy in the morning and be depressed by around 4-5 pm. I was and still am fatigued all the time, and little things like walking up the stairs make me out of breath. I also let little things annoy me and unfortunately take it out on the people around me. I have lost 10 pounds since I've started this medication. I have no desire to eat even though I know my body needs food. I feel like Dory from Finding Nemo, and it embarrasses me at times. My friends will tell me something, and I'll completely forget what they said and ask them about it a few minutes later."

• Ponyo
• March 20, 2013

"I'm French and am 28 years old. I had my first seizure in 2009. My neurologist gave me Lamotrigine for 2 years, from 100mg daily at the beginning to 400mg at the end. The frequency of seizures has been reduced but I still had some. I arrived in USA in 2011 and my new neurologist prescribed me Keppra because I wanted to have a new medication, more efficient. I take 500mg twice daily. I don't have any seizures since I started this medication, so more than one year now. I'm very satisfied so far, but of course, I have side effects and it's sometimes very difficult to deal with. I'm very tired all day long, I need to sleep at least 8 hours every night. I'm like bipolar, sometimes euphoric, sometimes very depressed. I'm a different person now."

• Kris
• April 9, 2015

"I hate this medication! Yes, it controls my seizures, but it makes me a horrible human being. It causes me to be mean, moody, and angry. I would almost rather have the seizures than have these horrible side effects. At the next neurologist appointment, I am begging for a different medication. And not Dilantin or Gabapentin either. Both of those have given me nasty side effects as well. But what works for one does not necessarily mean it will work for another. Good luck to those of you who are taking this medication. I pray that the side effects are not as bad for you as they were for me."

• Norbryn
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2014

"I'm 25, had my first seizure at 24, and have now had my 4th seizure on 11/11/14. I went against the doctor's advice with taking medication as I had an EEG done and it came up clear, so I thought it wouldn't be too serious. However, now having 4 seizures, I've started taking Keppra twice a day. I haven't been tired by the medication and I'm still able to work well. However, I'm starting to feel easily angered, annoyed, and moody. What I would normally let go is now agitating me. I'm not enjoying it as I feel like being left alone and in my own space."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2016

"Worst drug I have ever taken. Been on it for 4 weeks. Not even sure I had a seizure to begin with. All tests, MRI, and EEG were negative. Trying to wean myself off. Dizzy, headache, depressed, severe mood swings, angry, then lethargic. Sorry I ever went to the doctor."

• Kent
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2018

"I have been on this medication almost since it was introduced, being on other medications that stopped the seizures but had to have blood tests every 6 months for liver function. Those ones didn't stop my seizures. Keppra has stopped all my seizure activity with little or no side effects after being on it for the first year. Occasionally I feel the emotional effects of depression and mood swings, but I am able to mentally talk myself out of the negative mental state, change the emphasis of what is causing the irritability, and change my environment (getting out and socializing, viewing nature, whatever it takes). Overall, Keppra holds my seizures from occurring with minimal effects."

• falis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2013

"I am so glad I found this forum! My husband was on Dilantin and it was working well, but a few years ago his Dr. switched him to Keppra because it was newer. He started having severe depression and mood swings to a point where they diagnosed him with Bipolar. The depression has been getting worse and worse to a point where we almost hospitalized him because I was afraid he may hurt himself. Today, I spoke with his mental health provider and asked about trying Depakote and decided to come home and research if he could take both. After reading the reviews, I am 100% convinced that it is the Keppra causing his depression, and I am taking him to the Dr. Monday to have him put back on Dilantin!"

• Ronakm
• December 16, 2015

"I had my first seizure on 04/04/14 while driving and they found that I had epilepsy. The neurologist put me on Keppra. It is by far the best drug I've had to take. Initially, it was a pain as I was always angry, depressed because I lost my driving licence, and tired all the time. All I wanted to do was sleep. However, once I took this medication after 6 months, the side effects wore off, and I was getting back to my old self again - happy and all that. I once forgot to take my tablets for 2 days, and I had a seizure. It was the biggest mistake I've made. I always remember to take my tablets now. I'm seizure-free now. Please take your tablets. They do help."

• Mommy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

"My 10-year-old daughter began on Keppra 1000 mg per day to control her Rolandic epilepsy. The first four weeks were awful, she was aggressive and scary. I needed extra help to stop her from attacking her siblings. HOWEVER, this calmed down after 4-6 weeks, and she is now back to normal. Seizure-free (so far) 4 months later. Her mood is back to normal. I would encourage parents to persevere through the first few weeks as it was AWFUL but has improved immensely."

• Socce...
• July 15, 2014

"My 8-year-old was put on Keppra for complex partial seizures. Except for some initial tiredness in the first two weeks, she has had no side effects. She takes 250mg twice a day. She even won her age group in a 1-mile race two weeks ago, and her competitive soccer team won their soccer tournament this weekend thanks to some of the goals she scored. I have noticed no difference in her schoolwork or personality. I am so thankful for this medicine that my daughter can continue her active life seizure-free."

• NDfan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2013

"46-year-old male. Over a 3-month period, experienced 3 auras and finally, the first seizure in January '13. Prescribed Keppra by a neurologist. 500mg x2 daily. Not a hint of seizure activity since being placed on this medicine. However, I do experience some tiredness (mild). Otherwise leading a very normal lifestyle."

• Mtusa
• November 11, 2017

"I don't like using Keppra at all. Since the start of using Keppra, I keep on having suicidal thoughts every day, which I don't want to have. Keppra is making my life worse than ever. My mood is changing every minute. It has impacted my schoolwork so much. I have trouble remembering things and being happy. Sometimes I cry so hard and say to myself 'I can't take this drug anymore'. My self-esteem is getting very low every day. This drug is destroying my relationship with my friends and family. I just want to be able to tell them and my school what my feelings are and not pretend to put a mask of happiness over my face."

• Bole
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2019

"I’ve been on Keppra for about 2 years for my seizures, and the side effects are on and off. My main problems are I’m extremely short-tempered, often very depressed, and most importantly, this medication causes so much plaque buildup in my mouth. Whenever they raise the dosage on me, I have to go to the dentist once a month with issues with my gums bleeding or a tooth being on the verge of being a cavity, and I brush twice a day and floss every night before bed. My dentist was very confused about why I had to keep coming in with mouth problems until I told him I was epileptic and on Keppra. My dentist told me of the oral side effects, dry mouth, etc."

• Timil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2019

"I experienced mood swings, including increased emotionality (crying, anger, etc.); I had difficulty falling asleep/restlessness (tired and wired feeling); muscle cramping and joint aches became more frequent, as well as general body fatigue and lethargy; my appetite was lowered and indigestion was common; dry mouth occurred regularly; and forgetfulness and attention problems were apparent. Seizures did not continue while on the 250 mg twice a day dose, but the side effects outweighed the benefits, especially considering I could not take the full 500 mg twice a day prescribed dosage."

• Joncb
• January 31, 2014

"I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 23. I am now 35. I was put on Tegretol 500mg twice a day. For 2 years, my life was a nightmare. I still got seizures and double vision every day. I was then prescribed 500mg of Keppra twice daily along with the Tegretol. The double vision went completely and I found that I only have 1 or 2 seizures max a year. This is usually because of lack of sleep or forgetting to take my medicines. Yes, I find my attention span is not great sometimes along with tiredness and mood swings. The positives for me outweigh the negatives. Good luck in finding what suits you best."

• ivetr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2017

"I had my first grand mal seizure on a boat and then a second in the middle of class. The neurologist prescribed me 500 mgs twice a day and then eventually bumped to 750 mgs. I don't think I've had any side effects from this medication and I haven't had a seizure since I've been on it (10 months). I feel extremely terrible for everyone on this review board with these tragic stories. Yet for me, I suppose my brain just accepted the chemical."