Dr. Seyedaidin Sajedi
Neurology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 50-year-old female, and my weight is 160 lbs. I had COVID three months ago. During that period, I fell asleep with a mask on while lying flat on my back. I had a seizure due to a lack of oxygen. Since then, I have taken Keppra 1000 mg daily and then reduced the dosage to 500 mg daily because I did not feel good about it. I have had several tests, EEG, MRI, and CT and all of the test results were normal. My neurologist said they are all normal, and I did not have another seizure since that one time. I want to quit the medication (Keppra) as I do not like the anxiousness it causes. My neurologist wants me to continue the medication for another month and switch to another medicine for seizures. He is not listening to what I want. Do I still need the medicine even if this was a single event and all my tests are normal? Please help me with a second opinion.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern. Tablet Keppra (Levetiracetam 100 mg) may cause some side effects such as nervousness, anxiety, or aggressiveness in some consumers. In response to your question, I suggest that, according to your history, you have had a provoked seizure. It means that a metabolic cause (hypoxia) was the reason for your seizure. It is different from unprovoked ones that are seen in epileptic patients. According to the guidelines, long-term anti-seizure drugs are unnecessary for provoked seizures, provided the underlying cause has been resolved. In your case, regarding the normal brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and normal EEG (electroencephalogram), it is possible to taper the dow Keppra slowly. Although, going for an EEG after Keppra cessation is needed. If that EEG is also normal, the chance of recurring seizures would be low. I also understand your doctor. The doctor has concerns about the possible serious side effects of a second seizure for you. The doctor has the plan of drug tapering but with more delay. I recommend you to more clearly describe the side effects that the drug Keppra has caused you. Finally, do not stop your drug without the permission of your neurologist.
Thank you.
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