Yes, Keppra (levetiracetam) can absolutely cause fatigue and tiredness. It's one of the more commonly reported side effects, and a MyEpilepsyTeam member shared: "When I took one AED, I experienced fatigue, anxiety, fear, anger, and mood swings."
But with epilepsy, fatigue can come from several directions at once, which can Show Full Answer
Yes, Keppra (levetiracetam) can absolutely cause fatigue and tiredness. It's one of the more commonly reported side effects, and a MyEpilepsyTeam member shared: "When I took one AED, I experienced fatigue, anxiety, fear, anger, and mood swings."
But with epilepsy, fatigue can come from several directions at once, which can make it tricky to pin down a single cause. Here are some common contributors:
- Keppra itself β anti-seizure medications can cause fatigue or sleep disturbances
- Post-seizure recovery β the period after a seizure is often described as exhausting, like running a marathon
- Nocturnal seizures β seizures during sleep can seriously disrupt rest without you even realizing it
- Depression β a common comorbidity with epilepsy that can cause persistent fatigue
- Vitamin D deficiency β some research links low vitamin D to fatigue in people with epilepsy It's worth keeping a symptom diary to track seizure activity, sleep quality, medication timing, and mood. This can help your healthcare team spot patterns and adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Never adjust your medication on your own β always loop in your neurologist first. If the side effects feel unmanageable, it may be worth asking about alternatives with fewer side effects.
August 20