Greetings Group,
After several years of drug chasing, Ive made it to the drug keppra, and even though at 3000mg daily it helps, my neuro wants me to push up to a 5000mg daily dose. The recommended range is 1000-3000mg. Im a little skeptical, as this Dr has told me before that some of the aeds have to be in the 'toxic range' to be useful. Just wondering if anyone else has explored keppra above the 3000mg range. Any related comments welcome.
Kodo
[This message has been edited by Kodo (edited 06-12-2002).]
I am new to this whole thing, and after trying 3 other meds, Keppra is the only one not making me sick, but I wouldn't take 5000mgs of anything. And certainly not something at a toxic level. There has to be a better way. Good Luck
Kodo:
I take Keppra but only at 1000 daily I saw my
Neuro Doc today and he wants me to stay at that dose
I don't seem to have any bad side affects
Take care
Peace
Pacemaker
Helo my son just started on Keppra-100mg per dayHe is vey small-is this med based on wieght or other meds a person is on -any info would be GREAT!THANKS
Right now, I am on 3500 mg of Keppra a day along with 400 mg of dilantin. I thought that seemed very high on the Keppra, but my neuro told me that for someone my size (I am a 30yr old male who is 6'0" and about 180lbs) that 3000 mg is the target dose and as long as I am not having any side effects that he would go higher as needed, but would keep a very close eye on it. I really did not want to take that much drugs a day, so I decided to try the surgery because that was an option for me. I am sorry I can't be more help, but that is just what my neuro told me. One thing he did and I don't know if your Dr. did or not was he very gradually moved me up. He started at 500mg a day and about every 2 weeks moved up another 500mg. He said the body adjusts to it alot easier on a gradual increase than a sudden one, so that may be a question you might want to ask your Dr.
I'm on 3000mgs of Keppra as of about 2 1/2 wks ago. My neuro brought me up from 2000 because I was having a problem with migraines. Now that's under control. so far, so good.
In the FDA literature approving Keppra, I read that there have been instances of patients taking as much as 6000 mgs without negative effects. But still it had the recommended max at 3000mgs. I've never heard of any med being prescribed at its known toxic level. I have taken Depakote, Lamictal, Topamax, Carbatrol and Xanax in the past. But experienced either side effects that were intolerable or had too many seizure breakthroughs. Keppra is so far working well for me...I've been using it since May.
You might want to ask your doctor a lot of questions before increasing the dose that high. Is there any other doctor you might approach for a 2nd opinion?
Just wanted to add my "two cent's worth". Recently started Keppra, titrating upward in 500mg increments weekly alternating am/pm. Started have severe side effects at 1000am/500pm. Asthma attacks all day long plus headaches. My seizures had been controlled at 1000 mg daily plus Dilantin at 500mg. They brought me back down on the Keppra to 500mg bid and I'm also down to 300mg of Dilantin. Seizures are under control for now. This is just one gal's opinion, but I would be VERY careful about that kind of of dosage on a DAILY basis. Keppra can have some serious side effects that are conveniently listed as "less likely to occur but potential...". Take care and good luck.
keppra dose ranges 
