Keppra (levetiracetam) hair loss: rare, but with an early window

Also searched as: keppra hair losslevetiracetam hair loss

Hair loss on levetiracetam is rare — 0.4% of 1,903 patients in a records study — and in a series of five cases it appeared 3–8 weeks after starting, earlier than the usual 2–4 month drug-shed window.

Plot my dates on the Shed Clock

The timeline

Stage	When (typically)	What's happening
Onset (case series)	3–8 weeks after starting	Five reported cases at 500–1000 mg/day developed hair loss between three and eight weeks. [Medicines]
Typical drug shed, for comparison	2–4 months	DermNet's usual window for drug-related telogen effluvium. [DermNet]

What happened in the five cases

All had diffuse, non-scarring hair loss, judged to be telogen effluvium [Medicines].
Two recovered completely; two improved after a dose reduction made by their doctors; one chose to continue despite the hair loss [Medicines].

Normal vs. warning signs

Commonly normal

Diffuse shedding without patches

Warning signs — get checked

Patches or smooth bald spots
Scalp pain, redness, burning or scaling
Loss of eyebrows, eyelashes or body hair
Mood changes or thoughts of self-harm — seek help promptly

Find a trichologist →

What may help

Never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own — raise hair changes with your prescriber, who can weigh them against why you take it. Seizure medicines should never be stopped suddenly.
Check for other triggers 2–4 months back, such as illness or surgery.

Related triggers

Medications

Valproate (Depakote)

Frequently asked questions

Does Keppra cause hair loss?

Rarely — 0.4% of 1,903 patients in one records study.

How soon after starting Keppra can hair loss happen?

In a five-patient series it began 3–8 weeks after starting.

Does Keppra hair loss go away?

In that series, two recovered fully and two improved after a supervised dose reduction.

Sources

Medicines (Basel), 2023. Antiseizure Medication-Induced Alopecia: A Literature Review
DermNet. Alopecia from drugs