Keppra & High Cholesterol - Epilepsy Message Board

92261 · 08-28-2009, 11:55 AM

Does anyone out there taking Keppra have any issues with increased cholesterol? I'm curious because one of the side-effects on the RX paperwork tells you that if you experience any of these "serious" side-effects to notify your doctor immediately: neck & muscle pain. I told my doctor last year that I was having these issues and she wouldn't listen to me and so I called the pharmaceutial company directly and they wouldn't tell me what the "seriousness" was. The only thing that happened was that I got a call from my neuro telling me to reduce the Keppra from the 3000 mg that I was on to the 1000 mg I'm on now.

It's interesting because one of the side-effects of statin drugs are muscle pains. My bad cholesterol has gone up and I don't want to take the statins and I really wonder if it's the Keppra. I know the cholesterol can go up during menopause too which is another issue going on here with me. The only thing I found on the web was that the cholesterol goes up with the reduction of estrogen - which isn't my case. I am estrogen dominant, just the opposite. Thanks for your input.

cas526 · 08-29-2009, 05:34 PM

I posted on here about a year ago about my son's cholesterol gong up when he was on Keppra. He's only in his late 20's He came off the Keppra because it was not controlling his seizures and his cholesterol is fine.

92261 · 08-29-2009, 07:11 PM

Cas526: I looked back in the postings and it was in Mar/Apr. where you commented. I also had some comments in there too about the LDL but of course I can't remember anything these days. I'm going to call the company that makes the Keppra and see what they have to say about it. What were your sons cholesterol levels at? Who was checking them? Your PCP or neuro? My neuro has never checked my cholesterol. I think you said something in one of the postings that he had lost weight. Interesting. I've gained weight and now I'm really believing that this is this Keppra more and more. What are your son's levels at right now? Thanks for your help.

cas526 · 08-29-2009, 08:08 PM

His PCP ordered the blood work for something else in January. I dont remember exactly what his numbers were but I'm thinking in the 230's. The Pcp asked me if I wanted to start medicine for it or just watch his diet. When the PCP rechecked his levels they can back in the 170s. The only thing that had changed was we stopped the Keppra a month or two before the 2nd blood test. He also gain weight on Keppra, about 20 lbs. Once he started Lamictal he lost that 20 lbs. He has not had his cholesterol checked since then.(March/April)

92261 · 09-05-2009, 07:08 AM

Cas526: I went to the endocrinologist yesterday and he told me that my cholesterol wasn't alarming to him because my HDL is above range. He also told me that the Phenobarbital that I'm on could contribute to the high LDL too! So, between Keppra, Phenobarbital and menopause, I'm doomed!! And I'm not adding the statins! Don't want them! He also told me that when I had the lipid test in Aug. that it could have become elevated if I had just eaten lunch before having it done. A fasting LDL would give a better reading. Now I have to wait and see.