Keppra and pregnancy: During my last... - Epilepsy Action

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Keppra and pregnancy

Rachisawire profile image
10 Replies

During my last pregnancy I was taking Lamictal and am pleased to say that I had a healthy baby.

Unfortunately Lamictal isn’t working for me and as such I’m now coming off it and on to Keppra. Eventually we would like to have another baby - has anyone else been on Keppra whilst pregnant and if so how did it affect you and baby?

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Rachisawire profile image
Rachisawire
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10 Replies
AmyBadd profile image
AmyBadd

Unfortunately neither Keppra nor Lamictal worked for me and I have to take Sodium Valproate, including during pregnancy. Luckily I also have a healthy little boy. I believe the risks with Keppra (levetiracetam) are similar to those with Lamictal (lamotrigine) and much lower than with SV. See this page for more information epilepsy.org.uk/info/daily-...

Good luck xx

EpilepsyAction1 profile image
EpilepsyAction1PartnerEpilepsy Action

Dear Rachisawire

Thank you for your post.

It’s good to hear your previous pregnancy went well. Most women with epilepsy have healthy pregnancies and give birth to a healthy baby.

Although the baby has a very good chance of not having any birth problems, epilepsy medicines can sometimes cause some specific problems, so it’s good you are looking into this.

The UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register was set up to find out more about having epilepsy and taking epilepsy medicines during pregnancy. We have a table on our website that explains the register’s findings between 1996 and 2012.

epilepsy.org.uk/info/daily-...

I hope this will be of help. If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again, on here or phone the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Our helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 5.30pm.

Regards

Diane

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

Rachisawire profile image
Rachisawire

Thanks for your message 😊

Angiebaby0121 profile image
Angiebaby0121

Hi I was also on lamictal but after my daughter was born it didn't work so well. They weaned me off it and introduced me to Keppra and it has worked well for me and I took Keppra whilst I was pregnant with my son who is now 12 and had a healthy pregnancy and he doesn't seem to have any issues, health wise anyway.

Hope this helps.

Rachisawire profile image
Rachisawire in reply to Angiebaby0121

That’s fab I’m glad all is well 😊Thanks for your reply. Your case seems similar to mine I’m still coming off Lamictal and on to Keppra so I don’t know much about the drug

Angiebaby0121 profile image
Angiebaby0121

When I was on both lamictal and Keppra I was very tired a lot of the time. I used to sleep in the afternoon and then again at night but once lamictal was out of my system and Keppra took over not so tired.

It has and still is controlling my epilepsy I have to take 2250mg twice a day.

Rachisawire profile image
Rachisawire in reply to Angiebaby0121

My sleeping thankfully isn’t being affected but now I’m coming off the Lamictal I am starting to realise how drugged up I was; I’m starting to feel more clear headed. I’m on 1500mg of Keppra I’m keeping everything crossed that it will work - last seizures were in Feb

Angiebaby0121 profile image
Angiebaby0121 in reply to Rachisawire

Hope all goes well and illkeep my fingers crossed for you too good luck

Rachisawire profile image
Rachisawire in reply to Angiebaby0121

Thanks 😊

romaluna2015 profile image
romaluna2015

I was kept on keppra throughout my pregnancy and was okay on it . It is mainly the medication they prefer to use in pregnancy. Although earlier on today I was told there is 10 different forms of Levitricitim . And keppra is the best brand of it xx

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