What would you do when you face a person having seizures in front of your eyes? Panicked? Yes, you should be but what you should really be doing is to make sure they are safe by cushioning their head from the hard ground and keeping airway, making sure their surroundings are clear of possible danger and to stay with them until they are awake and alert. Definitely call for medical assistance if seizures last more than 5 minutes or the person does not regain consciousness. From here on, we will be learning about a drug used to treat those with seizures known as Keppra 500 mg.
Keppra is already known to be a good medicine for seizures. However, does Keppra cause seizures? To answer this, it is best to understand but more on Keppra itself first. Keppra contains levetiracetam as its active ingredients. It is known as an antiepileptic/ anticonvulsant drug used to treat seizures. This drug helps to lower the number of seizures. Keep in mind that there are many kinds of seizures that could occur in an epilepsy. Keppra helps to control certain types of seizures. You may be confused with the terms “seizures” and “epilepsy”. Seizures are a single occurrence whereas epilepsy is a condition of the brain of at least 2 or more unprovoked seizures. A person with seizures may have epilepsy but a person with epilepsy certainly has seizures. It is worth noting that seizures may happen due to non-neurological reasons outside the brain such as low blood sugar level and heart conditions.
Keppra alters the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In a normal brain, the brain cells send messages to other brain cells and communicate with each other through electrical signals plus chemical brain activity. People with seizures have a brain in which the brain cells are not communicating properly or working faster than the normal brain does as a result of a burst electrical activity. Levetiracetam in Keppra reduces brain activity in seizures by joining with a protein known as SV2A. Protein SV2A in the brain works to release brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters. This substance plays a role in the way the brain cells communicate. Thus, when levetiracetam is combined with SV2A, it regulates the neurotransmitter and ultimately stops the seizures.
In order for Keppra to be effective in treating seizures, it needs to be taken on a regular basis. Taking it at the same time of the day can help patients remember to take it regularly. Patients need to be patient before feeling any changes as Keppra takes a few weeks before it has effects on the body. This means that a person taking Keppra may still experience seizures in the meantime until the medicine works optimally. Studies show that usage of levetiracetam with other seizures medicine helps to decrease at least 50% number of seizures each month in 20-40% people.
The recommended dose is twice daily. This medicine may be gradually increased by the doctor to help patients achieve the effective dose. It is best to take Keppra as a whole and avoid crushing or chewing it. This is important to prevent the medicine from being less effective as the medicine is made as a whole and the shape is aimed to match the way the body processes it effectively. Furthermore, this medicine does have an unpleasant bitter taste which becomes prominent when it is crushed or chewed. Take this medicine with a glass of water, with or without food. Ask the doctor or pharmacist for the best way to take it safely and pleasantly.
Just as with any other medications, Keppra does have potential side effects. Remember, doctors would always prescribe medicine that brings benefits more than side effects. Common side effects include fatigue, feeling sleepy, stuffy nose, itchy throat and feeling irritable. If side effects get worse or seem to not go away, patients need to let their doctor know and to not stop taking the medicine unless stated otherwise by their doctor. Serious side effect such as worsening seizures, serious mental changes such as heavy sleepiness, abnormal behaviour or severe mood changes especially presence of suicidal thought and/or attempts and aggressive behaviour should be seen as serious issues which the patient need to get immediate medical care.
The main question now is, does Keppra cure seizures? Unfortunately, Keppra is unable to cure epilepsy or seizure. The good news is, Keppra does help to control seizures as long as patient take it as advised by doctor. To better understand the many different kind of seizures, it is best to ask healthcare provider for further clarification. Antiepileptic medicine is typically taken for a long period of time before it is able to control the seizures. Beside taking medicine, patient need to identify triggers that may have cause seizures and patient need to try their best to stay away from it. Patient with history of seizures or seizures not under control need to always be in safe environments away from danger or possible hazards.
