The ultimate goal of epilepsy treatment is the same no matter what your age: seizure freedom with minimal side effects. But, there are some special considerations that seniors should keep in mind. For example, seizure medicines may affect seniors differently than younger people with epilepsy.
Seniors are also more likely to be taking multiple medications for a variety of health conditions. Keeping track of all the different medications and how they interact with each other can be a challenge. Certain medicines may mask the side effects of others, and it’s possible that the symptoms of one condition may go unnoticed due to the severity of other symptoms. Some AEDs may interact with other medications you take. Keppra XR® is unlikely to interact with other antiepilepsy medicines and everyday drugs. Learn more about Keppra XR®.
Take note of these points when discussing treatment with your neurologist:
- People may become more sensitive to medicines with age.
- Seniors may react to medicines differently than other people.
- Seniors may need to take different doses than other patients.
- Seniors may not easily detect side effects.
- Some medicines may cause seizures in seniors with epilepsy.
- Renal impairment may complicate treatment in some seniors.
- Bone density may be an additional concern in treatment planning.
Keep in mind that some medications, including some AEDs, can cause memory problems and affect concentration. And, many older people experience changes or slight declines in their memory as a part of normal aging. This can make it easy to forget taking medicines. Here are some tips that may help:
- Use a daily pillbox to keep your medicines conveniently available.
- Make taking Keppra XR® at the same time each day a part of your everyday routine. For example, it may help to take Keppra XR® when you wake up, before brushing your teeth.
- Set the alarm on your watch and cellular phone to alert you when it’s time to take your medicines.
Once-daily Keppra XR® can help make it easier to remember to take your medicine every day so you can control your epilepsy. Learn more about Keppra XR®.
There were insufficient numbers of elderly subjects in controlled trials of epilepsy to adequately assess the effectiveness of Keppra XR® in these patients. It is expected that the safety of Keppra XR® in elderly patients 65 and over would be comparable to the safety observed in clinical studies of immediate-release Keppra® tablets.
Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of immediate-release levetiracetam, 347 were 65 and over. No overall differences in safety were observed between these subjects and younger subjects. There were insufficient numbers of elderly subjects in controlled trials of epilepsy to adequately assess the effectiveness of immediate-release Keppra® in these patients.
Levetiracetam is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of adverse reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function.
Be sure that any doctor prescribing medications for you knows about your epilepsy and its treatment.
Be sure to have medical information readily available in case you have a seizure when you’re not accompanied by a friend or family member who knows you have epilepsy. You can wear a medic alert bracelet detailing your condition, or you can carry the information in your wallet or pocketbook. With our Identification and Emergency Wallet Card (PDF 70 KB), you can fill in all of the appropriate information, and carry it with you everywhere.
Learn how other seniors with epilepsy are living with epilepsy on their terms. Visit EpilepsyAdvocate.com for inspiring stories, practical advice, and to connect with other people with epilepsy through L.I.V.E. speaking events, monthly e-mail, a magazine, and videos.
Is someone in your life dealing with epilepsy? Get some tips for being supportive and helpful. Learn how to help.
Next: Information for Caregivers
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Keppra XR® is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in people 16 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Keppra XR® is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your doctor if Keppra XR® is right for you. Like other antiepileptic drugs, Keppra XR® may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500 people taking it. Patients should call their healthcare provider right away if they have depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior while taking Keppra XR®. Keppra XR® may cause extreme sleepiness, tiredness, and weakness, and problems with muscle coordination. Keppra XR® may also cause mood and behavior changes including psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and unusual behavior. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms. The most common side effects seen with Keppra XR® and other formulations of Keppra® include sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infection. Do not stop taking Keppra XR® unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Stopping a seizure medication all at once can cause seizures that will not stop, a very serious problem.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may also report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or go to www.fda.gov/medwatch or contact UCB, Inc. at 1-866-822-0068.
Please see Keppra XR® Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information for additional important patient information.
*With this coupon, you pay the first $25 of your Keppra XR® or Keppra® co-pay and we pay your remaining out-of-pocket expense up to a maximum of $30. This coupon may not be reproduced and must accompany a valid, signed Keppra XR® prescription. No cash value. Offer not valid for prescriptions reimbursed or paid under any government health insurance program (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare) or any private payer in Massachusetts or where otherwise prohibited by law. Patients are responsible for reporting this rebate to any private insurer that covers any part of the prescription. Offer expires on 12/31/12. UCB may cancel or alter this program at any time without notice.