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How Long Does Keppra Take To Show Full Effect?

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Posted on Wed, 29 Jul 2015
Question: Hi,
I am on Lexapro 5 mg, Klonopin 2 mg, Keppra 1000mg and solian (100mg, amisulpride). I was on Exitelev before (it's levetiracetam but by Sandoz, a biosimilar). It seems that there are differences between the effect of Keppra and the biosimilar, so my psychiatrist decided to give me Keppra five weeks ago. I've been told that i'll see the bebenfits of Keppra between 2 and 4 weeks, but by Dr. Bishnoi that it can takes up to 6 weeks. Now i am at the end of the week 5 and i feel an improvement of 90/95 %, but not yet the full effect of Keppra: i still have some irritability and "ocd like" symptom. Please, i would like to know if i can expect in the week 6 (next week) this full effect of Keppra, taking into account that Keppra is fighting some irritability probably caused by Solian (amisulpride) al this low dosage (100mg). My psychiatrist told me thay maybe he can give me 250 mg Keppra more, since i just want to feel without any symptom.
Thanks beforehand XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
expect more improvement at end of 6th week.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Welcome here.

I understand your concerns.

Its great that you have 90-95% improvement in your symptoms with 1000mg keppra.

You can expect further improvement by the end of sixth week and must continue with 1000mg keppra till then.

Dise can be increased then, depending on the response (after discussing with your doctor).

The XXXXXXX dose of keppra is 3000mg.

Hope this answers your query satisfactorily.

I wish you well.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (27 minutes later)
Dear Dr. Mehta,
Thank you very much for your very clear answer.
I just would like to add the following question: i noticed that there were some changes in my symptoms when i took cheese (gouda) and nuts, which are high in calcium. As far as i understand, Keppra acts on calcium. Should i avoid for the while this kind of food with high calcium levels? The question is also because my psychiatrist told me that Keppra is in competition in the brain with the biosimilar i was taking before during some years (Exitelev by Sandoz), so i guess Keppra and calcium channels are not yet stabilized. Can this could be right?
Thanks beforehand, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
better to avoid such foods rich in calcium.

Detailed Answer:
In my opinion, there is no need to cut down high calcium foods.
Even FDA prescribing information does not mentions such cut down of calcium foods.
But if you have noticed a change in symptoms, then you can avoid such foods.

Hope this helpds
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (4 minutes later)
Dear Dr. Mehta,
Thanks for your clear answer, i just have a last question: Keppra can be in competition with some rests of the biosimilar Exitelev in my brain channels and going slowly for this reason? I took Keppra some years ago (from 2009 to 2012, before the biosimilar Exitelev) and effect the first time was going more quickly.
Thanks beforehand, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
most probably, no interference issues.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I do not think that Exitelev is interfering with the effects of keppra.

The effects usually appear within the time frame of 4-6 weeks. It may be at the starting of fourth week to the end of sixth week.

You have had great response with the drug. So, in my opinion, there should not be any interference issues.

Hope this helps.
Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2145 Questions

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How Long Does Keppra Take To Show Full Effect?

Brief Answer: expect more improvement at end of 6th week. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX Welcome here. I understand your concerns. Its great that you have 90-95% improvement in your symptoms with 1000mg keppra. You can expect further improvement by the end of sixth week and must continue with 1000mg keppra till then. Dise can be increased then, depending on the response (after discussing with your doctor). The XXXXXXX dose of keppra is 3000mg. Hope this answers your query satisfactorily. I wish you well. Thanks.