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Trouble with Generic Seizure Medicine

Q. I’m 17 years old and I have epilepsy. I started taking Keppra two years ago. It got my seizures under control and I went into remission.
I recently moved to a new state and my new doctor switched me to generic levetiracetam. My seizures got much worse and I came out of remission.
I am currently taking a trial of Keppra XR and I am in remission, but my doctor won’t switch me back to name brand. So when I run out of this sample, I will most likely start having seizures again. If I can’t get my epilepsy under control my life is a disaster.

A. We have heard from dozens of other readers who had excellent seizure control with brand name Keppra. Many complained that generic levetiracetam has not been as effective. We have submitted many of these reports to the FDA, but so far have heard nothing back.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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