Topamax vs. Keppra

• Are Topamax and Keppra the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Topamax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Keppra?
• What Is Topamax?
• What Is Keppra?
• What Drugs Interact with Topamax?
• What Drugs Interact with Keppra?
• How Should Topamax Be Taken?
• How Should Keppra Be Taken?

Topamax (topiramate) and Keppra (levetiracetam) are anticonvulsants used to prevent epileptic seizures.

Topamax is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

Common side effects of Topamax include:

• drowsiness,
• dry mouth,
• dizziness,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• weight gain,
• trouble urinating,
• headache,
• increased hunger, and
• changes in taste.

Common side effects of Keppra include:

• drowsiness,
• weakness,
• infection,
• loss of appetite,
• stuffy nose,
• tiredness, and
• dizziness.

Side effects of Keppra in children include

• sleepiness,
• accidental injury,
• hostility, nervousness, and
• weakness.

Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), including Keppra, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Patients should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual mood or behavior changes.

Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant prescribed for preventing epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. Topamax is available as a generic drug.

Keppra (levetiracetam) is an anti-epileptic drug (AED) (antoconvulsant) often used in conjunction with other drugs to treat types of seizures in people with epilepsy.

Topamax may interact with other medicines that can make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety), other seizure medications, lithium, hydrochlorothiazide, metformin, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medications, or glaucoma medications.

Keppra may interact with other seizure medications.

Keppra may also interact with alcohol, oral contraceptives, digoxin, warfarin, and probenecid.

Topamax usual adult dose is 200mg twice a day. Drug interactions include acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin) and oral contraceptives. There are no adequate studies of Topamax in pregnant women and it is not known if Topamax is secreted in human breast milk. Use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the potential benefit outweighs the potential unknown risk to the fetus. Topamax passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Keppra (levetiracetam) is available in pills in the following dosages and colors: 250 mg (blue), 500 mg (yellow), 750 mg (orange), and 1,000 mg (white). Keppra (levetiracetam) is also available as a clear, colorless grape-flavored liquid at a concentration of 100 mg/mL.