Does Keppra (levetiracetam) impact fertility in women with epilepsy?
Good news! Research shows that Keppra doesn't appear to negatively impact fertility. A study compared women with epilepsy to those without epilepsy who were trying to conceive, and the results were encouraging.
Within a year, pregnancy rates were nearly Show Full Answer
Does Keppra (levetiracetam) impact fertility in women with epilepsy?
Good news! Research shows that Keppra doesn't appear to negatively impact fertility. A study compared women with epilepsy to those without epilepsy who were trying to conceive, and the results were encouraging.
Within a year, pregnancy rates were nearly identical:
- 60.7% of women with epilepsy became pregnant
- 60.2% of women without epilepsy became pregnant
Both groups took similar time to conceive and had similar rates of miscarriage and live birth. The study included women with no known history of infertility disorders.
Worldwide, about 12.5 million women of childbearing age have epilepsy. While previous studies showed lower birth rates among women with epilepsy, this appears to be due to fewer women choosing to become pregnant rather than fertility issues.
MyEpilepsyTeam members have shared their experiences with pregnancy while on seizure medications. One member said, "My husband and I want to start trying to conceive. Even though I have been given the go-ahead by my neurologist and OB, I am still nervous."
It's important to work with your neurologist about family planning, as adjusting medications and prescribing vitamins before pregnancy is essential for the healthiest outcome.
December 6, 2025
Join
Your Privacy Choices
