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Does Levetiracetam Cause Diarrhea?
Question: does Levetiracetam cause diarrhea? SInce taking it, I have had diarrhea each day, and must take an antidiarrhea medication so I do not have severe problems. What else can I do?
Brief Answer:
Can be a side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for asking query on HealthcareMagic,
I appreciate your concern.
Yes, any drug including levetiracetam can cause diarrhea. Our body is a closed system. Any thing taken from outside is new to that system. So sometimes our body don't accept it.
In your case Levetiracetam is irritating your gastric mucosa causing increased peristalsis leading to loose stools.
You have not mentioned how much dose you are presently taking. In case you are on high doses you can request your Neurologist to start you initially on low dose and gradually increase the dose as per the response of your body otherwise he can shift you on other antiepileptics like Disodium Valproate etc.
Advice--
Take A probiotic daily, it will improve your overall digestion.
Take Regucoll husk-Regucoll sachets and Regucoll Hi-Fibre sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming . Ispaghula is a type of fiber. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the feces. It increases the bulk in your stool, hence help you with loose stools.
A liver function test should be done every month. As some times anti epileptics grossly affect the liver, Which is responsible for digestion of food.
I hope i have answered your query well. In case you need any other professional advice; I would be glad to help.
Regards.
Can be a side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for asking query on HealthcareMagic,
I appreciate your concern.
Yes, any drug including levetiracetam can cause diarrhea. Our body is a closed system. Any thing taken from outside is new to that system. So sometimes our body don't accept it.
In your case Levetiracetam is irritating your gastric mucosa causing increased peristalsis leading to loose stools.
You have not mentioned how much dose you are presently taking. In case you are on high doses you can request your Neurologist to start you initially on low dose and gradually increase the dose as per the response of your body otherwise he can shift you on other antiepileptics like Disodium Valproate etc.
Advice--
Take A probiotic daily, it will improve your overall digestion.
Take Regucoll husk-Regucoll sachets and Regucoll Hi-Fibre sachets both contain the active ingredient ispaghula husk, which is a type of medicine called a bulk-forming . Ispaghula is a type of fiber. It swells when it comes into contact with fluid in the gut and thus increases the volume of the feces. It increases the bulk in your stool, hence help you with loose stools.
A liver function test should be done every month. As some times anti epileptics grossly affect the liver, Which is responsible for digestion of food.
I hope i have answered your query well. In case you need any other professional advice; I would be glad to help.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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