Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Keppra as follows:
- Keppra carries the risk of causing mild increase in blood pressure. Caregivers must closely follow the patients to watch out for symptoms of hypertension, such as, episodes of headache, nose bleeds, blurred vision, complaint of chest pain, pounding sensation in the neck and ears, and confusion. Individuals with history of poorly controlled blood pressure can be at risk for stroke, secondary to elevated blood pressure with keppra. Individuals can present with symptoms of stroke such as, sudden onset of numbness or weakness, especially in one half of the body, poor balance, sudden onset of problems with speech and/or vision, sudden onset of difficulty chewing and swallowing with increased risk for aspiration pneumonia, severe headache, and confusion. Notify your physician regarding development of any of the above mentioned findings, following keppra intake, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised accordingly. Hypertensive patients must observe compliance with dietary recommendations and intake of antihypertensive medications prescribed. Compliance with regular blood pressure reading and log maintenance can help easy follow-up of the numbers and necessary accommodations made.
- Keppra also carries the risk of causing and/or aggravating some underlying cardiac arrhythmias leading to severe debility and death. Individuals can present with episodes of chest pain, rapid heart rate, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Keppra must be used with extreme caution in individuals with history of poorly controlled cardiac arrhythmias. Avoid using keppra along with other medications that have a serious potential to cause or aggravate cardiac arrhythmias, such as, medications belonging to antidepressant, antipsychotic, and antibiotic groups.
