Updated: January 22, 2026

How to Find a Doctor Who Can Prescribe Keppra Near You [2026 Guide]

Author

Peter Daggett

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Is Keppra a Controlled Substance?
Which Doctors Prescribe Keppra?
How to Find a Neurologist for Epilepsy Near You
Can I Get a Keppra Prescription Through Telehealth?
What to Expect at Your First Neurology Appointment

Looking for a doctor who can prescribe Keppra (levetiracetam)? Learn which specialists prescribe it, what to expect, and how telehealth can help you get started.

Keppra (levetiracetam) is a prescription anti-seizure medication used to treat epilepsy. Because it is not a controlled substance, there are no special DEA licensing requirements for prescribers — which means a broader range of healthcare providers can prescribe it than you might expect. Here's what you need to know about finding a provider in 2026.

Is Keppra a Controlled Substance?

No. Keppra (levetiracetam) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. This is an important distinction: unlike ADHD medications (Schedule II) or benzodiazepines (Schedule IV), levetiracetam has no addiction potential and no DEA quota restrictions on prescribing or dispensing. Any licensed prescriber — including nurse practitioners and physician assistants — can prescribe it without special registration.

Which Doctors Prescribe Keppra?

Keppra is prescribed by a wide range of healthcare providers, depending on the patient's condition and care setting:

Neurologists: The primary specialists who diagnose and manage epilepsy. Most new-onset seizure diagnoses and complex epilepsy cases are managed by neurologists. Board-certified epileptologists are neurologists with additional sub-specialty training in epilepsy.

Pediatric neurologists: For children and adolescents with epilepsy. Keppra is approved for use in children as young as 1 month of age for partial-onset seizures.

Primary care physicians (PCPs): For patients on stable, established regimens, PCPs often manage ongoing levetiracetam prescriptions with neurologist input. In some areas with limited specialist access, PCPs may initiate treatment.

Emergency physicians: In hospital settings, emergency physicians and neurologists may initiate IV or oral levetiracetam for acute seizure management.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs): Advanced practice providers can prescribe levetiracetam in all 50 states (within their scope of practice). Many neurology practices rely on NPs and PAs for established patients.

How to Find a Neurologist for Epilepsy Near You

If you're newly diagnosed with epilepsy or seeking a provider for the first time, here are the best ways to find a neurologist:

Ask your PCP for a referral: Your primary care doctor is typically the starting point for a neurology referral after a first seizure.

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Find a Neurologist: The AAN's online directory at aan.com lets you search by location and specialty.

Epilepsy Foundation's EpilepsyDiagnosis.org: Provides resources for patients seeking epilepsy specialists and care centers.

Your insurance plan's provider directory: Use your insurer's website to search for in-network neurologists near you.

Can I Get a Keppra Prescription Through Telehealth?

Yes — and this is one of the major advantages of levetiracetam not being a controlled substance. Telehealth providers can prescribe levetiracetam without any DEA restrictions or in-person visit requirements. For patients in rural areas or those with limited access to neurology specialists, telehealth neurology services can provide expert epilepsy management remotely.

However, a new epilepsy diagnosis typically requires an in-person evaluation with an EEG (electroencephalogram) and potentially MRI imaging. Telehealth is best suited for:

Ongoing management and prescription refills for established patients

Follow-up visits for patients who are seizure-stable

Second opinions from epilepsy specialists

Patients who have moved and need to establish care with a new neurologist quickly

What to Expect at Your First Neurology Appointment

If you're seeing a neurologist for epilepsy evaluation for the first time, you'll typically undergo a detailed medical history review, neurological exam, EEG, and often MRI of the brain. The neurologist will classify your seizure type to determine whether levetiracetam is the appropriate medication for you — it's particularly well-suited for focal-onset seizures, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Once you have a prescription, medfinder can help you find it in stock at a pharmacy near you. For more on what levetiracetam treats and how it works, see our complete guide: What Is Keppra?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While neurologists are the primary prescribers for epilepsy, any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant can prescribe levetiracetam — it is not a controlled substance. For new-onset seizures, evaluation by a neurologist is strongly recommended. For established patients on stable regimens, primary care providers often manage ongoing prescriptions.

Yes. Since levetiracetam is not a controlled substance, telehealth providers can prescribe it without DEA restrictions or mandatory in-person visits. Telehealth is especially useful for established patients seeking prescription refills or follow-up management. New epilepsy diagnoses typically still require an in-person evaluation with EEG and imaging.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is typically diagnosed and managed by a neurologist or epileptologist. Levetiracetam (Keppra) is one of the first-line medications for JME in patients 12 years and older. If your child has been diagnosed with JME, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric neurologist.

Wait times for neurology appointments vary widely by region — from a few days to several months in underserved areas. For patients with new or worsening seizures, most neurologists offer urgent or priority scheduling. If your primary care doctor calls the neurology office directly, it can often speed up the referral process.

Yes, many primary care physicians manage ongoing levetiracetam prescriptions for patients who are seizure-stable and have an established epilepsy diagnosis. Regular neurologist check-ins (at least annually) are still recommended, but day-to-day prescription management can often be handled by your PCP.

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