Epilepsy Patient. On Keppra And Vimpat. Having Dizziness, Ataxia And Tremors. Are They Side Effects Of Vimpat?

Posted on Wed, 9 Oct 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 Answered on

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : On Keppra 2tabs bid. Depakote 2in am 3mid day 3 at night time. Vimpat 2 in am 3 at night time , better control of seizures with the vimpat, its about 3 months that she is having a lot of dizzy spells , ataxia tremors , more this week , I'm thinking its side effects of the vimpat, is there anyway to give her the vimpat differently to help with the side effects, is it interacting with the other medications. Please look at the end of the medical history where I did put some of her symptom's. thank y ou XXXXXXX XXXX XXXX
Valproate 146 50 - 150 ug/mL level done on September 17,2013

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
My replies are below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I can understand your concern with the side effects of anti epileptic drug medications in your daughter. Dizziness, ataxia and tremors can occur with depakote as well as lacosamide (vimpat). The fact that she is on both is compounding these side effects.

However, as she has good seizure control with these medications, we have to be careful in reducing the dose of these medications. So, it is a trade off between the good seizure control versus the side effects.

I would feel that the dose of depakote be reduced by one tablet first. This may help her, as depakote is more likely to cause these side effects. Watch for about two weeks for any change. If the side effects are still persisting, then, vimpat can be reduced by one tablet next.

I am sure she would improve with these measures.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir XXXXXXX MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar