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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Want To Switch From Depakote To Keppra Due To Weight Gain, Foggy Thinking And Memory Loss. Recommendations?

I have been taking depakote for almost 20 years and want to change to Keppra. I am a 43 year old woman with complex partial seizures. The reason I want to change is because of the side effects of depakote ( weight gain , foggy thinking, loss of cognitive ability, short term memory loss ). What do you recommend or what research do you suggest I do?
Mon, 25 Aug 2014
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Good morning ma'am. Sounds like you've thought this through and I agree with your desire to change based on the side effects which I don't think you should necessarily have to live with for the rest of your life if you've reached your limit. Of course, your risk in the switchover is that you may lose control of your seizures a bit before you are fully ramped up on the Keppra. I suggest that you consult with your neurologist and allow them to specify the dovetailing process between weaning down on VPA and ramping up Keppra. I do that sort of thing all the time so it's not technically difficult but sometimes logistics don't make it easy.

All the best.

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Want To Switch From Depakote To Keppra Due To Weight Gain, Foggy Thinking And Memory Loss. Recommendations?

Good morning ma am. Sounds like you ve thought this through and I agree with your desire to change based on the side effects which I don t think you should necessarily have to live with for the rest of your life if you ve reached your limit. Of course, your risk in the switchover is that you may lose control of your seizures a bit before you are fully ramped up on the Keppra. I suggest that you consult with your neurologist and allow them to specify the dovetailing process between weaning down on VPA and ramping up Keppra. I do that sort of thing all the time so it s not technically difficult but sometimes logistics don t make it easy. All the best. I d appreciate your rating this answer with STARS if you found the answer to be informative in some way. Many Thanks.