Brivaracetam

Brivaracetam is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy. It can be used by itself to treat adults or along with other medicines to treat adults and children. It helps to prevent seizures for as long as you continue to take it.

Brivaracetam suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You can take it with or without food but try to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will advise the right dose for you.

It is generally advised as a long-term treatment. You should continue taking it for as long as your doctor has told you to, even if you feel well. If you stop or miss doses your seizures could get worse. It may take several months to come off it safely. It is advisable not to change the brand of medication without doctor consultation, and always keep a stock of medicine with you.

Very few people taking it have any serious problems but the most common side effects of this medicine include sleepiness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, and diarrhea. You may also experience aggressive or abnormal behavior, depression, insomnia, dizziness, problems with balance, stomach pain, and rash. Side effects are more common during the first few weeks and usually lessen as your body gets used to the medicine. Most do not need medical attention, but some of them can be serious. Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms - there may be ways of preventing or reducing them. A small number of people being treated with this medicine have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Contact your doctor if your mood changes for the worse.

Before taking it, you should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, depression or suicidal thoughts and if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Alcohol may increase the risk of seizures and worsen the side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Drowsiness and dizziness may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Your kidney function may need to be tested often while taking this medicine.

• Epilepsy/Seizures

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Britam

• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Drowsiness
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Brivaracetam is an antiepileptic medication. It works by attaching itself to specific sites (SV2A) on the surfaces of nerve cells. This suppresses the abnormal activity of the nerve cells in the brain and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures.

• Brivaracetam should be taken regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.

• Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.

• Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:

  • Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
  • Practice yoga every day.
  • Get enough sleep at nighttime.
  • Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
  • Take your medication on time.

• It may cause sleepiness or drowsiness. If this happens to you, do not drive or use machinery.

• Inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease, kidney disease or drug abuse.

• Do not stop using Brivaracetam without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.

Brivaracetam. Smyrna, GA: UCB Group of Companies; 2016. [Accessed 20 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Brivaracetam. [Updated 2018 Dec 3]. [Accessed 19 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from:

Brivaracetam. Slough, Berkshire: UCB Pharma Limited; 2016 [revised Jul. 2018]. [Accessed on 20 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: