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What Causes Increased Urine Flow After Switching From Keppra To Dilantin?
Question: I have a developmentally disabled son. He was on Dilantin for seizures. Dilantin level was too high. He was then placed on Keppra. He is now back on Dilantin because the neurologist who replaced the neurologist that put him on Keppra said the dosage of Dilantin should have been decreased instead of him being placed on Keppra. In the begining of July, I noticed a large increase in his urine flow, sometimes uncontrollably, urinating on the floor, on the seat of the toilet bowl and on the toilet seat. He has been having accidents on the bus to school and in school. He stopped taking Keppra five weeks ago. Did Keppra play a part in the onset of the urinary problem and if so how long will it last?
If it's not medication related, what else might cause this as my son had never had this problem before and it started soon after he started on Keppra. Thank you.
If it's not medication related, what else might cause this as my son had never had this problem before and it started soon after he started on Keppra. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
The possible causes are listed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. In my opinion, there are three possible causes of your son' problem :
1. It may be a uncommon side effect of Keppra,( loss of bladder control).
2. If it is associated with gait problems (unsteadiness), may be normal pressure hydrocephalus.
3. It may be Diabetes Insipidus due to pituitary damage from drugs. I suggest you to consult your son's primary care Doctor and to discus the possibility of examining your son for normal pressure hydrocephalus with imaging ( brain MRI). Diabetes Insipidus to be diagnosed need collecting and measuring 24 hours urine output (>4-5 liter per 24 hours), and urine lab test for urine density. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
The possible causes are listed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, I had gone through your question and understand your concerns. In my opinion, there are three possible causes of your son' problem :
1. It may be a uncommon side effect of Keppra,( loss of bladder control).
2. If it is associated with gait problems (unsteadiness), may be normal pressure hydrocephalus.
3. It may be Diabetes Insipidus due to pituitary damage from drugs. I suggest you to consult your son's primary care Doctor and to discus the possibility of examining your son for normal pressure hydrocephalus with imaging ( brain MRI). Diabetes Insipidus to be diagnosed need collecting and measuring 24 hours urine output (>4-5 liter per 24 hours), and urine lab test for urine density. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
My son doesn't speak and doesn't tolerate procedures well. If an MRI is needed, can he be put out for the MRI?
Brief Answer:
He can have a CT scan indeed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking again. If your son doesn't tolerate well procedures, he can have a CT scan done, because it's fast and without any concerns. Hope this answers your question. If you have further question, feel free to ask.
He can have a CT scan indeed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for asking again. If your son doesn't tolerate well procedures, he can have a CT scan done, because it's fast and without any concerns. Hope this answers your question. If you have further question, feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
if my son's conditiion is keppra related with loss of bladder control, is there a timeframe where it would resolve itself?
Brief Answer:
Keppra is out of your son' system.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for asking again. Five weeks is a long time and Keppra is out now. Maybe the bladder dysfunction (weakness of bladder muscle), that Keppra may have caused, still persists. To say this there's need to exclude other possible conditions mentioned before. If in the end this urinary problem is related to Keppra, then there's need for urodynamic studies to evaluate bladder function. There's no exact timeframe in this case. If there is bladder weakness, there's need for bladder rehabilitation and gymnastics. Once again there's need to check up for other conditions that may have caused urinary incontinence. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Keppra is out of your son' system.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for asking again. Five weeks is a long time and Keppra is out now. Maybe the bladder dysfunction (weakness of bladder muscle), that Keppra may have caused, still persists. To say this there's need to exclude other possible conditions mentioned before. If in the end this urinary problem is related to Keppra, then there's need for urodynamic studies to evaluate bladder function. There's no exact timeframe in this case. If there is bladder weakness, there's need for bladder rehabilitation and gymnastics. Once again there's need to check up for other conditions that may have caused urinary incontinence. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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