Keppra and Aggression?

Val - posted on 03/02/2009

hello- I just wanted to put in my 2 cents wort. when my son (he's now 5) was put on Keppra- he turned into a "mean little monster" I called him lovingly. He started hitting anything and everything that was near him. His moods became intolerable. He was only on it for aprox 3 months. we then changed it to Lamictal & Zominsinade. Thankfully, he's doing well on these.

Good luck with your son.

Linda - posted on 03/01/2009

I am 45 and am on 4000 mg of Keppra I really don't have any aggression problems from the Keppra This is one medication I have never had any side affects from . Dilantin thats another story was on that from a wee child but had built up a tolerance to it after many years so I went off it. Good luck and stay positive I now am on disability and can not drive  I miss my license I had them up till 2 years ago. I never tried to let my siezures get to me but after turning 39 and hormones changed they got worse. 

Drewin - posted on 02/28/2009

YES!!! We had to change Keirah's meds, so we went into the hospital and did a rapid detox off one and added Keppra. They were very worried about the "med gap" between the weaning off the Lamictal and going on the Keppra, figuring we wouldnt have seizure control. They warned us about possible aggression because they would have to put her on a high dose right away. I didn't belive them because Keirah is such a mild little girl;she has never been aggressive. The first dose was given at bedtime and for about an hour there was nothing, then she started to get bad. She was thrashing around wildly in the bed and we were worried she was going to hurt herself so I got into bed with her and tried to cuddle with her to settle her down. She started hitting me wildly. She seemed mad about something. It got so bad that by about 3am I was in tears and the nurses sent me out of the hospital for a coffee to relax a little. The nurses were in tears watching her too because they have known her since her first hospitalization at 3 mos old. It was very frusterating to watch because it was like there was something major bothering her but she couldn't say what it was or do anything about it. She became violent toward herself, me (and our family)and the staff. It lasted for about 8-10 hours after the dose was given. It is very likely that what he is experiencing is med related, and I would suggest not separating him from his binky's at this time. Maybe wait till he's adjusted to the med (the aggression does eventually stop) and try again. Good luck and hang in there, it does pass.

Kim - posted on 02/27/2009

Maybe it's a bit of both....that's what I always had a hard time deciphering.  Was it just my son acting his age or was it the Keppra.  The answer was given to us when we weaned him off of it a year or so later because it didn't work.  He wasn't an angel afterwards, but he was a bit easier to deal with and he behaved better most days. 

Jennifer - posted on 02/27/2009

My son, at 22 mos. had his first bought with unexplained seizure...no illness, nothing.  He had 5 grand mal in 1 day.  After being in the er for 3 days, his neuro put him on keppra, 1mg twice a day.  Thankfully he has been fine since then.  The aggression thing is hard at this age because, just like you said...is it being 2 or the meds or what?  His neuro said that if aggression became an issue, we could try adding B6 vitamins to his routine...he takes a daily vitamin, but nothing extra.  Who knows, someday I think he's bipolar just because of the swings...my oldest son, 6, was so calm and mild through the two's that it's like I'm a first time mom with my baby...ugh.  I hope this was somewhat helpful and things start to smooth out for you and your little one!

Quoting Carrie:

Keppra and Aggression?

My son is 2 years old and has been on Keppra since 15 months old. For the most part he has done well on it with minimal side effects. He is usually groggy a few days after up-ing his dose. Last week we ended up raising his dosage by .5cc only at night time (this is when the majority of his seizures occur). His behavior in the last week has also been horrible! I've heard parents talk about aggression and Keppra before and was wondering what that means? What type of aggression or actual behavior issues where there? We also just happen to be weaning his binkys to only nap and night time. I'm wondering if he is having side effects from the meds or we are just dealing with the terrbile two here? Help!