Study Reveals Increased Risk of Stroke, Heart Attack, and Blood Clots for Epilepsy Patients Taking Levetiracetam with Direct Oral Anticoagulants

An international study published in JAMA Neurology found that people with epilepsy taking levetiracetam alongside a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC), such as apixaban or rivaroxaban, had almost twice the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious blood clots, and a 60% higher risk of death, compared with patients taking alternative antiseizure medications. Researchers emphasize this identifies a safety signal rather than proving direct causation, and advise patients not to stop or change medication without medical advice.