Querying Side effects of Keppra

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Blonde Angel

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Hi all
I've got a specific query.
My daughter has recently started this medication & for the last few weeks has a rash called Pityriadis Rosea.

The GP has assured me that this in no way related to the Keppra usage, but hey I don't believe in coincidence that this rash has begun in around the time she began the Keppra.

Does anyone has this drama?

Should I go back & see the pediatric Neuro? I've got an appointment on the 24th July.

It's not an itchy rash but it looks horrible.
 
Pityriadis Rosea isn't the serious rash associated with SJS, but you might want to have your daughter see a dermatologist just to be on the safe side.

If it is Pityriadis Rosea, it's benign and fairly common, and tends to disappear on its own after two to eight weeks. That said, not much is known about what causes it. The use of some drugs (like lithium or barbiturates) seems to be a factor -- so Keppra can't be definitively ruled out as the cause.
 
Thanks for the replies..
It's school holidays here & I've been quite busy.. Also the neuro I see works at the private clinic 2 set days a week.
I will query it next week.
The rash doesn't seem to bother her, but I not want scarring.

I really get stressed with these Docs especially when 1 tells you 1 thing & another says different.. Makes me mad sometimes...
 
Sometimes different drs don't know what things actually are.

I got a really bad itchy rash a few months ago. I was pretty sure that it had nothing to do with my epilepsy meds because none of them had changed for years so I went to my primary care physician about it. He told me that the rash was something (I can't remember what) and gave me a lotion to use. After a few days the rash didn't even seem to be starting to go away, it was actually getting worse, so I decided to see my dermatologist, I have a good bit of skin problems in general.

When he saw it he told me it was poison ivy and gave me some medicine for it. The rash was gone in a few day.

Sometimes it's worth it to get a second opinion about things because one dr says it's one thing and another dr says it's another. It's best also to go to a dr that deals with the problem you are having. Like going to a dermatologist for skin problems.

It also makes me mad about drs and them telling you different things. For about 10 years I had very bad back problems. I'd gone to several different drs that did deal with problems that accrue in the back before I found the one who knew what was actually wrong!
 
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Thanks..
Yeah, I realized for a long time the importance of a second opinion, Drs don't always get it right & there's been situations where it goes horribly wrong.
 
I've emailed photos of the rash,to the Paeditric Neurologist & he seems to think its not drug related but to continue to observe & if it spreads or get worse to review...I'm seeing him next week.


My Daughter is on the full dose of 500mg of Keppra twice daily for a few days & she seems to be getting violent like pushing at me & pinching for no real reason. She had a seizure this morning, & another last week on the 7th .

Despite the Autism challenges (which includes agitation & pushing atbpeoplecshe know) this pinching stuff is new & at times she just doesn't look happy.

Can someone suggest...whoever knows their pharmacology well.

What specific Epilepsy drugs for complex partial..
Doe NOT
.cause weight gain
.mood swings

These 2 issues are very important to avoid for my Daughter.

Also, regular blood tests will not be an option no more as she gets too distressed with the process.

If anyone is able to give me a list of possibles meds to present to the Neuro for next week..I would appreciate it.

*no ..Tegretol(weight gain/moods)
*no Epilum(sedated her too much )
 
Is your daughter on a B6 supplement? That can potentially help with Keppra's mood-related side effects.

Topomax, Lamictal, Dilantin and Primidone are other meds to try. But it's hard to predict which ould be ideal, since people are affected differently -- one person might gain weight on a particular med, while someone else will lose. Lamictal is a mood-stabilizer, but some people have experienced mood swings on it.
 
Thanks Nakamova, no one has suggested to me about the B6.

It after 9am here, I have managed to book an urgent appointment to see the Paediatric Neuro @ 3pm... as last night this poor girl has not slept at all. She seems"hyper", distressed & irritable. This stress seems to be causing her more seizures.

I think we are going to try another medication as my Husband & I don't like what this is doing to her wellbeing.
 
Does anyone have suggestions of other medications that may be suitable for Complex Partial type seizures?

The side effects that need to be avoided is:

.routine blood tests (no compliance & distress by a nonverbal Autistic child)
.weight gain
. violent mood changes/ irritability
.diarrohea ( when stressed her bowels are pasty)
.sleeping issues
.interference to the contraceptive pill (breakthrough bleeds have impacted on my daughters enjoyment to go swimming)

At least if I have a list I can research what may be suitable & point it out to the Dr.

I know its a process of trial & error, but the more info I have ..the more I can suggest options.

Thanks.
 
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