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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Dosage To Wean Off Keppra

My Husband had surgery to remove a subdural hematoma on June 6th. The day before and for 22 days after he was on 1000mg of Keppra two times daily. We were then instructed to cut the large tablets in half and he took 500mg twice daily for a week. Next he was instructed to take 500mg every other day for a week and then stop taking it. MY question: Is this sufficient weaning from this medicine? Should he continue lesser and lesser doses over a continued period of time. He is not yet back on his Comadin for his A-fib (started in 2009 and had no problem with bleeding) until after tricuspid valve repair last Dec. 17th when they added one baby aspirin.
Fri, 18 Dec 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
DEAR FREIND
the use of levetiracetam following a surgical intervention on the brain is to prevent seizures if at all they happen.
the sub dural hematoma is not actually an issue in brain tissue but between the lining of the brain. it is most unlikely to cause any seizure following inter vention so this rapid rate of reduction in dosage is not unsafe.

the haematoma may have happened due to the anticoagulants he has been taking for his A fib and followed by tricuspid repair

Coumadin or Warfarin is commonly called a "blood thinner," but the more correct term is "anticoagulant." It helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body by decreasing the amount of certain substances (clotting proteins) in your blood.
while aspirin prevents clot formation by inhibiting the platelets from aggregating and forming a clot.
both if taken together at times may cause bleeding spontaneously. to titrate the dosage of coumadin your husband should have been advised to keep a parameter called PT INR in a certain range which indicates towards adequacy of reduction in clotting risk vis a vis risk of bleeding. you need to discuss the further course of action with your treating physician.
if the question was only about Keppra i think i have provided the answer but the second part of the question does not ask a query hence the explanation and the suggestion
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Suggest Dosage To Wean Off Keppra

DEAR FREIND the use of levetiracetam following a surgical intervention on the brain is to prevent seizures if at all they happen. the sub dural hematoma is not actually an issue in brain tissue but between the lining of the brain. it is most unlikely to cause any seizure following inter vention so this rapid rate of reduction in dosage is not unsafe. the haematoma may have happened due to the anticoagulants he has been taking for his A fib and followed by tricuspid repair Coumadin or Warfarin is commonly called a blood thinner, but the more correct term is anticoagulant. It helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body by decreasing the amount of certain substances (clotting proteins) in your blood. while aspirin prevents clot formation by inhibiting the platelets from aggregating and forming a clot. both if taken together at times may cause bleeding spontaneously. to titrate the dosage of coumadin your husband should have been advised to keep a parameter called PT INR in a certain range which indicates towards adequacy of reduction in clotting risk vis a vis risk of bleeding. you need to discuss the further course of action with your treating physician. if the question was only about Keppra i think i have provided the answer but the second part of the question does not ask a query hence the explanation and the suggestion