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Several anti-seizure medications commonly cause weight gain or weight loss, but levetiracetam usually doesn’t. It’s considered “weight-neutral,” which means it’s unlikely to affect your weight. Levetiracetam can affect people differently, and some may notice weight changes.
More than 19,000 MyEpilepsyTeam members have reported taking Keppra, but their experiences don’t prove it causes weight changes. One member asked, “Has anyone else experienced weight gain on Keppra? I’ve gained almost 20 pounds.” Another member responded, “No, I haven’t gained any weight. Instead, I’ve lost weight from Keppra.”
Continue reading to learn more about different ways levetiracetam might affect your weight.
Levetiracetam (sold under brand names including Keppra, Keppra XR, Elepsia XR, and Spritam) is an anti-seizure medication that helps calm abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can be used alone or with other medications for focal-onset seizures and with other medications for certain generalized seizures, including those associated with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
Levetiracetam comes as a liquid, immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and tablets for suspension that dissolve in liquid. People taking levetiracetam can usually continue their normal diet unless their doctor gives instructions.
Weight loss is listed among levetiracetam’s postmarketing adverse reactions, which means it has been reported after approval. The label doesn’t list weight gain as a common adverse reaction. Common side effects of levetiracetam include:
Serious side effects may include allergic reactions, severe skin reactions, coordination problems, worsening seizures, and mood or behavior changes. Like other anti-seizure medications, it can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in a small number of people.
Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the online chat.
If you’re wondering whether Keppra causes weight gain or weight loss, neither is expected for most people.
A study found that about 9 percent of people taking levetiracetam had a significant weight change. Weight gain and weight loss were equally common in the levetiracetam group, meaning that they didn’t find evidence that levetiracetam itself caused weight gain or weight loss.
Weight loss isn’t expected for most people taking Keppra, but it has been reported. One small case series described 19 people with significant weight loss while taking levetiracetam. However, some had other possible causes, so the study couldn’t prove Keppra was responsible.
It’s also unclear why weight loss may happen in some people. Some in the study said they ate less because food was less enjoyable, while others noticed no change in eating. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite may also contribute to weight loss.
“I lost weight when I started Keppra and then gained weight when I went off it,” wrote one MyEpilepsyTeam member. “The Keppra made food taste like nothing, so I didn’t crave food. It took a long time to balance out after taking that.”
When weight changes are reported with levetiracetam, weight loss has been reported more often than weight gain. In one small study, two of the 60 participants gained between six and 11 pounds after taking levetiracetam for three months.
If you experience depression or mood changes while taking levetiracetam, changes in appetite may also affect your weight.
“Keppra XR has been a nightmare for me,” shared a member. “I’ve gained 40-plus pounds since I started taking it back in 2004-ish.”
Weight changes can happen for reasons other than Keppra. In the study that found levetiracetam was weight-neutral, weight changes happened at nearly the same rate in people taking levetiracetam and those taking a placebo, an inactive treatment. Because the rates were similar, levetiracetam itself was unlikely to cause the weight changes.
Research suggests that weight in people with epilepsy can be affected by many factors, including anti-seizure medications, eating habits, physical activity, genetics, and other health conditions. This means a change in weight while taking Keppra doesn’t necessarily mean the medication caused it.
Even though most epilepsy syndromes don’t directly cause weight gain, obesity is a common condition in people with epilepsy, according to a 2013 study in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior.
Lifestyle factors, especially lack of physical activity, can lead to weight gain in people with epilepsy. Studies have found that people with epilepsy are less physically active compared with the general population.
Talk with your doctor about the safest type of exercise for you.
Weight changes may also be related to other epilepsy medications. Examples of anti-seizure medications linked with weight gain include:
Valproate is the anti-seizure medication most strongly linked to weight gain. In children, perampanel and pregabalin may also lead to some weight gain or increased appetite.
Examples of anti-seizure medications linked with weight loss include:
A 2022 review also identified several medicines associated with decreased appetite or weight loss, including fenfluramine, rufinamide, stiripentol, cannabidiol, brivaracetam, and ethosuximide. These lists are examples, not a complete ranking for every person or every age group.
Talk to your doctor if you notice that you’re gaining or losing weight while taking levetiracetam or any new medication. Never stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor first. Stopping levetiracetam suddenly may make seizures worse.
If a change is needed, your doctor can help you weigh the benefits and risks of lowering your dose, switching medications, or finding other ways to manage side effects.
A dietitian may help with nutrition and weight management. If you’re taking levetiracetam, you may also want to ask your doctor or pharmacist what not to take with Keppra, including certain drinks, supplements, or other medications.
If side effects make it hard to stay on track, these anti-seizure medication tips may help. You can also read more about epilepsy treatment options, including medication, diet, surgery, and more.
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I had to stop taking Keppra all together due to unhealthy weight gain and I was eating healthy plus working out , as much as I could, my doctor also knew first hand how the drug affects people he also… read more
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