What is Keppra used for?

Keppra is a medicine to treat partial seizures in adults.  It is taken with other seizure medicines to help control seizures.

Special Warnings with Keppra: 

Some people taking Keppra can get serious reactions including:

• sleepiness or feeling tired
• weakness
• difficulty coordinating muscles normally, (e.g., abnormal walk)

• aggression, anger, and irritability  

• agitation, anxiety, and other mood changes

• decreased ability to cope with daily life events
• feeling depressed or worsening depression
• thoughts of suicide

Talk to your doctor before stopping Keppra or any other seizure medicine.  Stopping a seizure medicine all at once can cause status epilepticus, a serious problem.

General Precautions with Keppra:

Keppra may cause drowsiness.  Do not drive a car or operate complex machinery until you know how Keppra affects you.

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

Tell your doctor or health care provider if you:

§       are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.  Keppra may cause birth defects.  If you are taking Keppra while pregnant, tell your health care provider to register you in the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 888.233.2334.

§       are nursing or planning to nurse your baby.  Keppra is passed through breast milk to the baby.

§       have a history of kidney problems.

Tell your doctor about any other medicines you may be taking, including non-prescription medicines.

What are some possible side effects of Keppra? (This is not a complete list of side effects reported with Keppra. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)  

The most common side effects are:

• drowsiness
• weakness
• dizziness
• infection

For more detailed information about Keppra, ask your health care provider.

Date Posted:  3/15/01
Updated: 6/18/0, 5/26/04