Keppra (levetiracetam) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and some children. As with other drugs, Keppra can cause side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness.

Keppra and Keppra XR are different forms of the same drug. They both contain the same active drug, levetiracetam. Keppra comes as an oral solution, an immediate-release oral tablet, and an intravenous (IV) injection. Keppra XR comes as an extended-release oral tablet. Extended-release tablets release the medication into your body slowly over time.

This article focuses only on side effects of Keppra. But the side effects of Keppra XR are similar since it contains the same active drug.

Keppra can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Keppra in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Keppra use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Keppra’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Keppra include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Keppra and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Keppra may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Keppra’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Keppra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Side effects of Keppra in children are similar to those seen in adults. Examples of these are discussed throughout this article.

However, in clinical trials, some side effects were reported more commonly in children who took Keppra than in adults who took the drug. Examples of side effects that were more common in children include:

  • fatigue
  • stuffy nose
  • reduced appetite
  • increased blood pressure in children ages 1 month to 4 years
  • changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability, mood swings, or aggressive behavior*

If you have questions or concerns about the risk of side effects in children taking Keppra, talk with your child’s doctor.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Keppra may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Keppra be used in dogs? If so, do dogs experience different side effects than humans?

The FDA has not approved Keppra for use in dogs. But veterinarians may sometimes prescribe Keppra off-label to treat seizures in dogs. To learn more about Keppra’s use and side effects in dogs, talk with your veterinarian.

Do not give Keppra or any other medications to a pet without talking with your veterinarian.

Does Keppra cause long-term side effects?

Keppra isn’t known to cause any long-term side effects. And taking the drug for a long period of time isn’t known to raise your risk of side effects.

If you’re concerned about the risk of long-term side effects with Keppra, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Keppra may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Keppra.

Changes in mood, thoughts, or behavior

You may have changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior while taking Keppra. These changes can develop any time during Keppra treatment.

In clinical trials, changes in mood, thoughts, or behavior were commonly reported with Keppra. These side effects were reported more commonly in children than in adults taking the drug.

Examples of these side effects reported with Keppra include new or increased:

  • agitation and irritability
  • anxiety or nervousness
  • mood swings
  • apathy (loss of interest in things you usually enjoy)
  • psychosis (loss of touch with reality)

Like all seizure medications, Keppra can also increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. However, suicidal thoughts and actions are rare side effects.

What you can do

If you have any unusual changes in your mood, feelings, thoughts, or behavior while taking Keppra, talk with your doctor right away. It’s also helpful to have people close to you watch for any changes.

If you have changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, your doctor will monitor you closely. If needed, they may recommend switching to a different medication for your seizures.

Note that you shouldn’t suddenly stop taking Keppra unless your doctor recommends this. Suddenly stopping treatment can worsen your seizures or cause seizures that won’t stop.

If you have questions or concerns about the risk of mood or behavior changes or suicidal thoughts and actions with Keppra, talk with your doctor.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Sleepiness

You may feel sleepy while taking Keppra. In clinical trials, sleepiness was commonly reported in both adults and children who took Keppra.

Keppra also commonly causes fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. All these side effects can reduce your ability to safely drive or do other dangerous activities, such as operating machines or riding bikes.

Sleepiness and weakness are more common when starting treatment with Keppra. These side effects usually improve after about 4 weeks.

What you can do

If you feel sleepy while taking Keppra, don’t drive or do other dangerous activities.

If you have sleepiness that is severe or doesn’t get better after you’ve been taking Keppra for a few weeks, talk with your doctor. They may lower your Keppra dosage.

If you have questions or concerns about the risk of sleepiness with Keppra, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Keppra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials but has been reported since the drug was approved.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Keppra. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Keppra. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Mental health conditions: Keppra can cause changes in your mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can also raise your risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. If you have a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia, talk with your doctor about whether Keppra is safe for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Keppra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Keppra. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Keppra may not be safe for you. You should talk with your doctor before taking Keppra. If you do take Keppra while pregnant, you’re encouraged to sign up for the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. To learn more, visit the registry website or call 888-233-2334.

Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol while taking Keppra may increase side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with balance or coordination. Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol while taking Keppra.

If you’d like to learn more about Keppra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Keppra: For details about other aspects of Keppra, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Keppra and cost, see this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Keppra, view this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about seizures, see our epilepsy and seizures hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.