Antidepressant use with Keppra

[BritishGuy]

I've been on Keppra for almost 3 months now, and the last 6 weeks having been a high dose of 1000mg twice a day.

At my lower doses, I never noticed any real change in irritability, mood swings or depression. At the higher level, it's really bothering me. I can start crying out of nowhere, I get really annoyed quickly, and just lose the will to do anything or even get out of bed.

I've never had any depression before, so this is a new and scary experience for me. On top of this, I'm also experiencing memory loss and word recollection side effects of the Keppra, which adds to my mood issues and feelings of anxiety in that moment.

I have a neurologist appointment on Tuesday to get the results of an LP, and to just chat with him about how this new level of dosage is working (it's controlling the seizures, there's no question of that, but I am not happy with how it's affecting me in other ways). Is there anything I could suggest trying in terms of an antidepressant to control my issues, or would a better approach be to lower the Keppra dosage and maybe supplement it with something else? I really don't know much about Keppra and any type of SSRIs. I've read about Klonapin for anxiety working with Keppra since both are broad range anti-epileptic drugs, but I don't think that's what I need for the most part (it might help in the moment when I start to panic, but it's not going to help with my mood - I don't think).

What are your thoughts or experiences? I'd be very interested in reading them and taking any information to my appointment I can.

[CQ:)]

Hi Britishguy.

Keppra is also known as Kepprarage & well known to cause mood problems or behaviour changes. Speak to your neurologist about any changes you have noticed eg - mood changes, problems with memory & discuss with them if anti depressants would be an option for you.

I have been on Keppra for 4 years & I have been lucky enough not to have any bad side effects with the Keppra & haven't had Kepprarage. At one stage I was on 1500mg Keppra twice a day as well as Tegretol & Neurontin. I had a video EEG in November 2010 & when I was in hospital for the EEG the epitiologist took me of the Neurontin (at my request) & lowered the Keppra to 1000mg. I'm now on Keppra 1000mg twice a day & Tegretol 400mg twice a day.

There are some other people on here who have been on Keppra & had problems with Keppra rage so they may be able to help you more.

[momof3boys]

Im on Keppra XR and I take 3000mgs a day, 1500 mgs twice a day. But to help with the irritability and mood changes, my dr who I started seeing in November 2010, told me about Vitamin B-6. He said it helps to control the mood swings that Keppra causes. Ive been taking it since then and Ive noticed a huge difference. If anything, I would dry that and see if it works for you

[BritishGuy]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I picked up a drink mixer (walmart's own version of the Mio liquid drink enhancers) which has B6 and B12 in it (also nice since I'm on B12 shots as per neurologist) so we will see if that does anything. Thanks for the useful info.

[Cint]

I'm also on a high dosage of Keppra and take Zoloft, also. Some anti-epileptic drug's and epilepsy itself can/does cause mood disorders in some folks.

[Dignan]

I'm of the opinion that you want to take as few prescription drugs as is possible. So, I would definitely try a B-complex supplement or look into switching to another anti-epileptic drug before I mixed it with an anti-depressant.

[BritishGuy]

My neurologist said he didn't want to add an antidepressant into the mix, instead he wants to try to lower my Keppra dose from 1000mg twice a day to 750mg twice a day, and slowly work in some Lamictal to see if that picks up the slack in partial seizures that the extra 250mg Keppra seemed to be catching, and might help with the mood.

Fingers crossed.