Brivaracetam: An Adjunctive Treatment for Partial‐Onset Seizures

Brivaracetam is an analogue of levetiracetam that is Food and Drug Administration–approved for adjunctive treatment of partial‐onset seizures in patients 16 years and older. In placebo‐controlled trials adjunct brivaracetam demonstrated efficacy in reducing the frequency of seizures. The most common...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical pharmacology 2017-07, Vol.57 (7), p.811-817
Main Authors: Kappes, John A., Hayes, William J., Strain, Joe D., Farver, Debra K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage
Anticonvulsants - adverse effects
Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use
brivaracetam
Drug dosages
epilepsy
Epilepsy - drug therapy
FDA approval
Humans
Pharmaceutical industry
Pyrrolidinones - administration & dosage
Pyrrolidinones - adverse effects
Pyrrolidinones - therapeutic use
seizures
Tablets
ucb 34714
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Description
Summary:Brivaracetam is an analogue of levetiracetam that is Food and Drug Administration–approved for adjunctive treatment of partial‐onset seizures in patients 16 years and older. In placebo‐controlled trials adjunct brivaracetam demonstrated efficacy in reducing the frequency of seizures. The most commonly reported adverse effects are somnolence, dizziness, and fatigue. Clinical trials have evaluated brivaracetam for safety and efficacy in adjunctive treatment of partial‐onset seizures in patients 16 years and older for up to 16 weeks. Brivaracetam's mechanism is similar to that of levetiracetam but with greater receptor binding affinity on synaptic vesicle protein 2A and inhibitory effects on sodium channels. Clinically significant differences between these agents are undetermined. Brivaracetam is available as oral tablets, oral solution, and intravenous solution. The Food and Drug Administration–approved dose is 50 mg twice daily, and titration is not required. Brivaracetam does not need dose adjustment for renal impairment and has minimal drug‐drug interactions. Current limitations of brivaracetam include lack of head‐to‐head trials, limited long‐term safety and efficacy data, and cost. Overall, brivaracetam is a viable adjunct therapeutic option for refractory partial‐onset seizures in those who have failed conventional therapies.
ISSN:0091-2700
1552-4604
DOI:10.1002/jcph.900