Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery in Children Through Novel Biomarkers and Enhanced Localization
Published on: September 20, 2024
Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: An Uncommon Side Effect of Levetiracetam in an Elderly Patient
Hina Tahir1, Faraz Ayyaz2, Uruakanwa Ekwegh1
1Geriatrics, Manchester Royal Infirmary/Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, GBR.
Abstract:
This report focuses on a 77-year-old female who was admitted to an acute geriatrics unit at a tertiary care hospital with a history of recurrent falls and right leg weakness. Computed tomography of the head demonstrated acute left subdural hemorrhage with a possible extradural component at the vertex. This was causing mass effect with effacement of the left superior, frontal, and parietal lobes with no hydrocephalus or fracture. She had an episode of non-convulsive seizure secondary to a head injury and was commenced on levetiracetam. The patient started to display previously unreported visual and auditory hallucinations within four days of starting the medication. After ruling out other potential causes of the symptoms, our team narrowed it down to levetiracetam-induced hallucinations and subsequently discontinued the medication. We commenced pregabalin for seizure control, and there were no further episodes of hallucinations.
Related Concept Videos
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes...
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...

