Increase in levetiracetam from 500mg to 750mg twice a day

[Dawn43]

Up until my last seizure 2 months ago, I was taking 500mg twice a day of levetiracetam which i was fine with. After this seizure, neurologist increased to 750mg twice a day. Since then I havent been right in myself and am wondering whether i should ask to be reduced back to the 500mg twice daily. She's ringing me on wednesday to explain something found on my last ct - Mild periventricular small vessel white matter disease, which is playing on my mind.

[Dobradee]

Sorry to hear that Dawn. Perhaps you could write down how it’s effecting you and ask your dr what they think? I suppose any increase in dose will effect you but your body will get used to it

[Dawn43 in reply to Dobradee]

Hi thanks for replying. I've become more argumentative and for the last couple of weeks, been having regular auras, starting from 1 every other day to several times a day. Neurologist wanted to increase it again last week at outpatient appt but i said no knowing how the last increase has affected me.

[Tgraham2]

Levetiracetam/Keppra has a side effect profile that a lot of people can’t tolerate. My daughter started on it and then couldn’t function with the fatigue and somnolence. Our neurologist switched her to Lamictal and she tolerates that better. Not sure if this is relevant to you. All the best

[Shorehampete]

Hi Dawn. After being on levetiracetam for five months my neurologist also put up my dosage from 500mg to 750mg as I was still having seizures. Like you I really struggled with the side effects on the higher dose so she agreed to take me off levetiracetam and try Zonisamide which I seem to be tolerating a lot better but still tired.Got another appointment in September where we will discuss how things are going.

All the best.

[Dawn43 in reply to Shorehampete]

Im not sure where my tiredness is coming from. At first it was down to low iron levels, but been on 2 different iron tablets for 2 weeks now and still very tired. Waiting for mri result as neurologist is concerned about a sub arachnoid Haemorrage i had last year and whether anything else has happened since. Thank you for replying.

[BMMog]

Hi Dawn, My daughter also had quite bad side effects from levetiracetam and is now on Zonisamide too, which she is tolerating better. Still on the increase though, so we'll see how the greater dosage goes...but so far it's okay.

[Dawn43 in reply to BMMog]

Im at the point where i get angry very easily but neurologist doesn't want to reduce meds yet until after ive had EEG