Alternative to Keppra

HI Katie366, 

welcome to the online community. So sorry to hear about your dad.

My husband has GBM4 and has been on Keppra for just over a year with no adverse effects.  I would advise speaking to your dad's medical team in the first instance and raise your concerns. We have our Ask an Expert section who may be able to offer some guidance, but do allow two to three working days for replies from our expert team.

Something I noticed a while ago, my husband didn't tolerate steroids very well and I've seen others comment along the same lines on here. could that be something to do with things?

Hang in there. Stay strong

love n hugs

Wee Me xx

Hello Katie, from personal experience, you can have new and very strong symptoms without the MRI showing anything for months. The situation in the brain is very fluid, it can change by the minute. For example the (damaging) effects of the chemo could be manifesting after the chemo has stopped. And of course there is the cancer itself, and a GBM does not typically sit still. Regarding anti epileptics, I have tried a few and read testimonies from dozens of patients, it almost seems like not two people tolerate them in the same way and they are not similarly (in)effective either. Neurologists have their favourites which they prescribe, so it depends who you're seeing. Also they many times use combos and change the dose until they find a combo that works for the particular patient. If you suspect the Keppra you could ask to be switched to an older drug called carbamazepine (Tegretol).

thanks, akist.