Brivaracetam, Briviact/Brivlera
Description: Anticonvulsant
Brand Name US: Briviact
Canadian Equivalent: Brivlera
CSA V – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Cannot Ship To US
How Does It Work
Brivaracetam, Briviact/Briverla exhibits an antiepileptic activity which is thought to be attributed to its binding affinity to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) which is a protein-coding gene implicated in synaptic signal transduction in the brain.
Indications For Use
Partial-onset seizures
Precautions
Before starting Brivaracetam, Briviact/Briverla make sure your physician is aware of any allergies or medications you currently take. Brivaracetam, Briviact/Briverla can cause CNS depression (i.e. impaired coordination, ataxia, abnormal gait, dizziness and dose-related fatigue, somnolence), hematologic effects, psychiatric symptoms (i.e. psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, mood changes), suicidal ideation, hepatic and renal impairment. You must be carefully monitored while taking Brivaracetam, Briviact/Briverla to assess for adverse reactions.
Usual Dosing
Oral: 50mg to 100mg twice daily.
Intravenous: 50mg to 100mg twice daily.
Note: Use injection when oral administration is temporarily not feasible; clinical study experience with brivaracetam injection is limited to 4 consecutive days of treatment.
Pharmacist Tips On Using
Oral: Take with or without food. Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew.
Intravenous: Administer intravenously over 2 minutes to 15 minutes using undiluted or diluted normal saline or dextrose 5% water.
Side Effects
Drowsiness, fatigue, hypersomnia, lethargy, malaise, sedation, abnormal gait, ataxia, dizziness, asthenia, nystagmus.
Note this is not a complete list of side effects for Brivaracetam, Briviact/Briverla are only common ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel so down/depressed since starting this medication? /Why am I having mood swings since starting this medication?
Rarely antiepileptic medications such as this can cause mood or behavior changes and in severe cases result in suicidal ideation. If you are feeling any of these things or family members are reporting mood or behavioral changes, see your physician immediately to discuss your options as it could be a result of this medication. Many scenarios where this medication is used can also result in these mood or behavioral changes so it is important to be open and honest with your physician about your feelings to make sure they have all of the information to treat you.
Why would my physician prescribe a medication with such serious side effects?
Your physician takes the most recent clinical guidelines to make evidence-based decisions on what medication is appropriate in which situations. Your current medications, your allergies, age, cost of medication, comorbid conditions and many other factors will further complicate or limit which medications are appropriate. This medication is used for many serious conditions and your physician has determined the benefits outweigh the risks. Furthermore, they will be monitoring your bloodwork and symptoms closely to see if any serious complications are starting to arise and be able to adjust therapy to prevent progression.