Posted by theo on August 27, 2005, at 11:06:17
In reply to Re: Keppra (levetiracetam) for bipolar disorder? » theo, posted by SLS on August 26, 2005, at 9:44:13
> Do dosages over 1000mg provide you with a better antidepressant effect?
As I mentioned, I would try a midday dose, maybe 250mg for starters or 500mg if you feel comfortable. I would try taking it 3 times daily versus two. As a matter of fact, I would try to keep each dose equal mg's to keep it at a steady state. It wasn't until I took it this way that I felt positive effects. Seriously, 3 daily doses can make a world of difference with Keppra, at least it did for me.
The PI states that "peak plasma in one hour, steady state in just two days." It also says "plasma half-life is 7 +- 1 hour and is unaffected by either dose(mg) or repeated administration." This stuff is in and out, no accumulation even when you take more of it per dose. That's why I think frequency of dose, taking it 3 times daily versus two only seems logical.
> How high did you go, and what caused you to discontinue it?I'm med sensitive. I got to 500mg morning, 250mg midday and 500mg bedtime (1250mg). It was to much as far as causing me to be over assertive, a little road rage. The fact that I needed to stick with 3 times daily dosing, I dropped to 250mg 3 times daily (750mg). This seemed to work pretty well, but my pdoc suggested I add Lamictal because I thought I still felt like I needed a little more boost. Once I got to 150mg Lamictal, I was having all sorts of cognitive side effects and worsened OCD, so I stopped both to start from square one again. It sucks, but when you are taking 3 or 4 meds, it gets tuff trying to figure out what med is causing the problems. This is the only reason I discontinued Keppra. Now I know the Lamictal was the cause.
> In a recent NIMH study of levetiracetam, they looked at a couple of dozen bipolar patients. Of course, this isn't many at all. However, none of those who were severely depressed responded to it. Patients were given 2000-3000mg.
Again, I'm curious about the frequency of dosing, when I tried 500mg twice daily, I would start to feel like I was coming of it before it was time for my 2nd dose, I felt like I was crashing, dizzy, faint confused. When I went to 3 times daily, it kicked in and was smooth because it reached a steady state.
Ted
poster:theo
thread:538236
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050827/msgs/547217.html