Is levetiracetam the right medication for me?

[Mike758]

I'm confused because the internet tells me that levetiracetam is used to treat partial seizures. I have had about 20 of those in the past few years, but I've also had two tonic-colonic seizures, with my second being this morning. After going to the ER today, a neurologist came down and prescribed me to 500mg levetiracetam. Now I trust a neurologist more than the internet, but when I looked up levetiracetam it says that this drug is used to treat partial seizures, but I'm epileptic and had two tonic clonic seizures. The internet also says that it's used with other drugs, and I wasn't prescribed any other. The doctor told me this should prevent me from having more seizures, I hope he's right. Why does the doctor tell me this but the internet tells something different?

 

[rich956]

http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Meds/Keppra
this site gives a good profile of the meds your going to use. I currently take levetiracetam for generalized siezures. for some it works well . its what your body can tolerate. hope this helps.

 

[Cint]

I also use Keppra (levitiracetam) 3000 mgs. along with a smaller dose of Topomax. I have CPs along with generalized TCs. I don't know what website you checked, but not all give you all info. Plus not all docs know what AEDs work best for what kind of seizures. It is best to see a dr. and visit a place that specializes in epilepsy.

And visit a website for epilepsy meds:http://www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_keppra_use

Keppra is approved for three types of seizures:

~Partial-onset seizures in patients 4 years or older. These are seizures that begin in a limited area of the brain. Sometimes these seizures spread throughout the brain (generalize).
~Myoclonic seizures in patients aged 12 years or older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
~Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Usually, Keppra is added when another seizure medicine is not controlling all seizures, rather than being used by itself.

 

[marika853]

I've been taking Keppra since 2006. It has worked well for me. During some stressful situations I've had episodes but haven't had anything since 2008. Everyone is different. Every dr. is different. My original dr. started me on a high dose but I reduced it to 1000 daily. YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE!
M

 

[Haffgus]

Keppra was what my daughter was given after her generalized tonic clonic epilepsy diagnosis. It did not work for her, even up to 2,000mg daily. Her seizures were more frequent and intense while on the keppra. It seems that it is hit or miss as to whether a certain drug works or not. Basically trial and error.

 

[masterjen]

There are so many different medications out there. Everyone reacts differently to the medications in terms of seizure control and side effects. Your doctor will attempt to choose the medication that offers the best seizure control with minimal side effects. No one here can tell you if this will be the right medication for you. Your doctor will attempt to choose the best medication for your seizure type. It is great to use the information available on general side effects so you know what to keep an eye out for, but as for what will work it unfortunately is mostly trial and error.

 

[lucycherish]

I have been taking keppra alone since 2010, and it has worked brilliantly for me, I have absence and grand mal seizures with a few others thrown in ( my epilepsy comes under myoclonic so have various seizures) I have not had a grand mal since 2009 and until recently no absences since 2010, I believe they where just a few 'break through' seizures due to stress and lack of sleep and a bump to the head but all seems to be settling down again now I was on 1000mg a day until recently it was highered to 1250mg a day due to the break through seizures and trying to prevent the absences moving onto grand mals which has so far worked, I think its trial and error with meds (probably not what you want to hear ) I am due to see my consultant soon to discuss the meds and if we should keep the higher dose, the only two people I trust to make decisions on my meds are my epilepsy consultant and epilepsy nurse, gp's have done nothin but mess things up for me to be honest thinking they know more than the specialists. All I can say is give it a try and make sure the sources you are looking up meds on is reputable, best of luck xx