Hi 37IW,

I'm sorry to hear that your insurance gave you a hard time about the keppra but I'm glad to hear that things have worked out and that the keppra is working for you now. If for some reason the insurance co. gives you a hard time turn them into the state insurance agency where you are living and they will do an investigation as to why they won't cover the drug. Also get a note from your neuro stating that this drug is the only drug that has helped you control your seizures and have them send it to your ins. co. and be sure you get a copy of the note. Then the state will do an investigation that won't cost you any money and if your insurance. co. is in the wrong they will have to correct everything so you can keep getting the keppra at their cost.
I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hey Porkett, do you know if this is still a problem? My little brother is on keppra, the generic version and he started having increase sz. around that time and his nuero increased the med more and the sz. increased more.

37IW,

That is great news to hear, I am so happy you were able to get your medicine. I have been on Keppra for a long time. It is wonderful to have you come in and be a fellow member with us.

Hi tos8,

From what I have heard they are still having problems with the generic keppra because the sz. are increasing in many people and the FDA has wanted people to fill out reports on this and let them know. I was put on the generic form of keppra and my sz. increased like crazy. So far this yr. I've had over 200 sz. and I've seen a pattern where I have sz. every week but one week each month. Before the keppra it was just the opposite I would only have 1 week of sz. and be sz. free the next 3 wks. the drug also caused more brain damage on me now I have 3 different areas that are triggering sz. where before it was just 2. I'm not to happy with the drug co. and you might want to get your little brother off the med before it causes more problems like it did for me. If you are in the U.S. just go on line and type in FDA drug watch and then you can call them and they will send you a form in the mail to fill out. I wish you and your brother the best of luck and May God Bless You Both!

Sue

Updated article - unable to link or post because it
requires a log-in / paid subscribers:

Here is some generalized summary:

==============================

To the studies, it is of interest that a large percentage
of people who are taking Levetricetam (generic for Keppra)
have experienced increased seizures or new seizures than
being on the brand name itself.

=====================

Levetricetam users are more prone to experience more side
effects and seizures than those who are taking Keppra at
an increase titration (dosage increase).

======================

Further studies are needed to be done on the formula break-
down on Levetricetam in comparison of Keppra in diagnosing
why individuals are experiencing more seizures..... electro-
encephlaograms showing newly developed seizure(s) as a
result of a patient being placed on the generic formula.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can only wonder when FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is
going to step in and intervene on this one?

I have a doctor appointment this week and will discuss this with him.
I think I need a tad bit more though does anyone know about what the highest amount you can take per day?
Thanks!!

I take 1500mg in the morning and 1500mg in the evening (along with 75 mg lyrica 2x a day). After being on it and stable for years, I'd moved and a new neuro wanted to mess with it because he said that dose was too high (well, he'd done a blood test and said it was too high; I called the company and they said there was no established range), but I fought the change because I'd been stable and didn't want to go changing things. I was good on that, with only minor breakthrough partials once in a blue moon, for 6-7ys.

Porkette, your point is an interesting one. I've been on the same dose of my 2 AEDs for years, but this last year was extremely stressful and my health went into a tailspin. My minor breakthrough seizures used to be limited to during the night right before my period, but over the last few months, I've had a few daytime partials and some simple ones around bedtime. Plus heart-racing and all sorts of new problems. Still, for me, anyway, I don't think the change is related to the drug as much as my brain is continuing to fall apart. But I will keep your warning in mind! Thanks!

I was re-reading this thread. I received my first (and only) order from a new mail-order insurance program-a three MONTH supply-and they sent me Levetiracetam. I took my last keppras tonight, which means all I have are the generics starting tomorrow.

The worst part is that I've been having a lot of heart racing and dizziness lately, which a new cardio diagnosed as dysautonomia. Whatever it is, I certainly don't need some faux drug making it worse!

Hi Friedbrain,

I know once I got off the darn keppra the rapid heartbeat stopped for me. I had to see a heart specialist while I was taking the keppra because they thought that there was a medical problem but since I'm off the keppra I've had fewer sz. and no more rapid heartbeats. Another good thing is that I can sleep because the keppra was causing insomnia which led to more sz. for me. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

The insurance did that to me one time to. Send the generic on Keppra. I callled my doctor and told them I have never taken generic before I always been on the brand. Your doctor as to write on the presipration brand only.