Get Informed: Keppra
Active Ingredient(s)
Levetiracetam
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of seizures. Its mechanism of action is unknown.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 2:26 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Keppra
- Levetiracetam
- Keppra XR
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Nov 1999
- Est US Patients*
- 762,600
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Keppra or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Keppra
Keppra Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Keppra used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 4,400 patients that use Keppra (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Epilepsy / Seizures | 84% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 6% |
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 6% |
|
| Other | 3% |
|
How well does Keppra work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Keppra (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 81%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Keppra outweigh the bad things.
- 12%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Keppra.
Common Side Effects of Keppra
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 4,400 users taking Keppra (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
47% of patients experience side-effects on Keppra
15% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Keppra
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Drowsiness
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Vitamin Deficiency
-
= 10%
Global Patient Feedback for Keppra (Levetiracetam) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I have been diagnosed with Brain Cancer of the Frontal Lobe, (Apr. 3,2009). I underwent brain surgery to remove a astrocytoma (stage 2-3). Just recently finished 6 weeks (5 days a week) of Radiaation Therapy! I also suffer from Depression and Anxiety! I added most of my meds to the "checker" list and I don't like what I found out! (also on a chemo drug called Temodar, and an anti-nausea drug too! What I didn't like was the yellow explanation mark next to a few of my drugs! Lexapro and Neurontin have an interaction! What the heck is going on here? (Why am I on Neurontin?)Don't these Shrinks know what mixes and what doesn't? Very confused and scared of ALL the meds! Can anybody provide any feedback? Also gained 25 lbs. since the surgery! Water retention to the point where my ankles and feet are swollen and leaking water! I'm a total mess! Going to Open Door Clinic on Thursday... lets see what this guy has to say!!! Since my Radiation Therapy is done for 6 weeks, can't go back to the Cancer Center untill the 29th of this month, to see my Radiation/Oncologist Doc! Also can't use my Shrink there either! I HATE this situation and thanks for the support of my very loving Husband and my fantastic family...I don't know how I would get throught this mess! Thanks to all for letting me "vent". God Bless you all- PRAY!- Because I'm praying for you!
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-15 01:56:32
Question/Comment:
I take KEPPRA 250mg AM & 500mg PM daily along with TOPAMAX 100mg, and KLONOPIN 1mg AM & PM for my granmal seizures. I was doing rreal good until this past month they substituted the KEPPRA to LEVETIRACETAM. I do not know the difference in the drugs but the name but I am having small seizures and panic attacks, I'm sleepy all the time and having bad dreams. My doctor says it will go away with time. I live alone out in the country and do not like how I feel so I stay stuck in my home at all time afraid I will fall apart while driving.
53 year old La. female
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-03 11:33:30
Question/Comment:
I have partial complex seizures when my blood sugar drops--I am also hypoglycemic. My doctor "tweeked" my medication till he came up with an effective combination of Keppra and Dilantin. In my case, the brand name of Dilantin is medically necessary as I could never maintain a blood level within the therapeutic range when using its generic form. Till this year, levetiracetam (the generic form of Keppra) was not available. I had gone 4 years with no seizures on the Keppra and Dilantin. Early this year, our pharmacy switched from the Keppra to its generic form, levetiracetam. Within the week, I began having trouble with seizures. I talked with my neurologist and he increased the amount of levetiracetam to compensate for the probable lack of equivalent ingredients in the generic medication. It helped some, but I never achieved the seizure control I had on the smaller dose of Keppra. Consequently, I'm requesting my doctor re-write my prescription for the "pricey" Keppra, indicating the brand name is medically necessary. I was delighted with the price of the generic levetiracetam, but it's not worth the unexpected occurance of seizures after four years of success with the Keppra and Dilantin.
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-28 22:30:18
Answer/Reply:
I was taking the pricy Keppra, 1250 mg. a day and noticed a HUGE difference after being on Dilantin for years. I read an article about Dilatin causing lipoma's and now I wonder after all these years is that where mine came from. I have been on the generic Levetiracetam 1500 mg./day since it came out and haven't noticed a difference yet. I like it so much better than Dilantin. Seemed after taking it since I was 15 my body was not "reacting" to its benefits anymore. The increased dosage of the generic (from 1250 to 1500mg/day) seems to be working for me and hopefully will for you too.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-30 16:37:32
Answer/Reply:
I have partial complex seizures as a result of a stroke in 2005.I had been taking a 1000 mg dose a day off Keppra until November 2008 when the dose had to be increased to 1500 mg per day to control the seizures.. Till this year, levetiracetam (the generic form of Keppra) was not available. I had gone 4 years with seizures being controlled on the Keppra. In February 2009,my pharmacy switched from the Keppra to its generic form, levetiracetam. Within the week, I began having trouble with seizures. I talked with my pharmacy and was told the generic was so new they did not have a monograph on it yet; but, they did not feel there was any difference in it and Keppra. I was told I could get my Keppra for that month instead of the generic I had already purchased BUT the insurance would not pay anything for it since I had a months dose of the generic. That had to be one of the worst months of my life. Seizure after seizure. Three weeks later I saw my doctor and they did blood work and my levetiracetam level was dangerously low. After about 10 days back on Keppra things got back to normal. Then the letter from the insurance company came last month indicating that in July 2009 Keppra would not even be in a tier and I would have to pay 33% of the cost of the drug. This should never have happened with the insurance when they didn't have enough time to get monographs and see if the generic worked. This is putting a lot of people in dangerous situations beyond their control. I also had my doctor re-write my prescription for the "pricey" Keppra, indicating the brand name is medically necessary even though I will have to pay 33% of the cost of the drug each month. This is not something I will use for a short time - this is the rest of my life due to Partial Complex Seizures. I was delighted with the price of the generic levetiracetam, but it's not worth the unexpected occurance of seizures after four years of success with the Keppra.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-28 22:30:18
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-06 12:19:25
Question/Comment:
i have seziures really bad and when i started to take keppra my seziures slowed down and i was more better than ever so if it ever comes down to were some one ask me about keppra i will indeed recommend this medication to them.
18 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-14 10:05:49
Answer/Reply:
I myself also take Keppra, 3000 mg/daily & 400mg Lamictal daily. I have tonic colonic seizures,(Grand Mal Seizures) My seizures have slowed down. It has been over 2 years since my last seizure. I myself don't feel tired from this drug. If it makes you tired you may need to talk with your Neurologist about this or even another drug. There are many that work well.
49 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-29 22:42:09
Question/Comment:
I also take Kepra 1000mg per day, I also am tired always. I wake up ands already planning on when I am going to take a nap. What vitamins do you take?
51 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-04 03:16:12
Answer/Reply:
I take 2500 mgs per day. 1000 in am and 1500 in pm. I, too, am always tired. It's funny you say you wake up and plan a nap. I wake up and can't wait until the night so I can go back to bed. I take a b-12 supplement along with many other vitamins. I am a vegan and eat mostly whole foods.
I also have MS, which contributes to the fatigue. I used to be very fit and work out all the time. Now all I want to do is sleep. And I get depressed because I can't do as much as what I used to do. My doctor is no help, he thinks everything is fine because I "look" ok. I am looking for a new doctor.
I am exhausted.
50 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-18 17:23:52
Answer/Reply:
I was taking Topamax for four years and it really helped my symptoms. I have lost so much weight, however, that my neuro insisted that I stop taking it and try Keppra. I, like yourself, have an ailment that is very fatiguing and I am afraid that this will contribute to the fatigue. To make matters worse, he also prescribes Valium (Diazepam) for me to take daily, so I am afraid I am going to have no energy at all. Is there anything I can do to prevent the drain on my energy level?
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-04 19:58:30
Answer/Reply:
I have a younger sister, just turned 49 a few days ago, and about 6 months ago was diagnosed with MS. She too has constant fatigue, is now doing the self injections of Colpaxon which leave horrible red welts on her body at the injection sites, and she has worsening cognitive trouble. She has been to Columbia Presbyterian to see a specialist, and apparently she has had it for a while. So, I feel for you with the MS because I am watching my sister struggle. God bless you my dear.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-11 22:44:03
Answer/Reply:
I've been taking Keppra for a couple of years. I'm tired a lot, but I was also tired when I took Phenobarbitol first (1971), then swithced to Dilantin1980 or so - Dr. changed to Keppra after about 20 years - because dilantin causes osteoporosis- glad they found out after I took it for twenty years).
I also started using medical marijuana eight years go and it has improved my life tremendously. I haven't had a single seizure since I started and my depression has lifted. Life is not always fair and good to us, but this makes me feel better and more willing to cope. I'm still tired a lot, but no seizures always brightens my day. I'm no pothead kid. I'm a 66 year old retired businessman, and I'm so glad that I have a progressive doc who is willing to think outside the box - Dave Morgan.
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-23 15:22:41
Answer/Reply:
sweetie dont feel bad just because you use medical marijuana...for one..if they'd just legalize it..people wouldnt feel so bad. You look at all the people dying because of alcohol and because of tobacco use...there has been no known cases of ANYONE dying from marijuana. Just because you use it for medicinal purposes..does not make you a pot head...and if you really think about it..what really is a pot head? just what the government put into everyones head...your very lucky to even have that chance..here they wont even legalize it for medicinal purposes. I also have chronic back pain(because i had a very bad accident while i was driving due to a seizure..almost died) and now they just push more pills on me...Dont feel bad..i wish i had your chance..i really hate pills. God bless;)
33 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-17 10:20:04
Answer/Reply:
I've been taking Keppra for a couple of years. I'm tired a lot, but I was also tired when I took Phenobarbitol first (1971), then swithced to Dilantin1980 or so - Dr. changed to Keppra after about 20 years - because dilantin causes osteoporosis- glad they found out after I took it for twenty years).
I also started using medical marijuana eight years go and it has improved my life tremendously. I haven't had a single seizure since I started and my depression has lifted. Life is not always fair and good to us, but this makes me feel better and more willing to cope. I'm still tired a lot, but no seizures always brightens my day. I'm no pothead kid. I'm a 66 year old retired businessman, and I'm so glad that I have a progressive doc who is willing to think outside the box - Dave Morgan.
67 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-23 15:22:42
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Patient Comments about
Keppra