BRIVIACT® (brivaracetam) CV is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older. It is not known if BRIVIACT is safe and effective in children younger than 1 month of age. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Select from a question below to learn more.

ABOUT PARTIAL-ONSET SEIZURES
What are partial-onset seizures?

Partial-onset seizures include:

Simple partial seizures, where a person remains fully aware (does not lose consciousness). He/she may:

  • Experience muscle jerking or stiffening
  • Smell, taste, see, hear, or feel things that are not there
  • Experience a sudden sense of fear, depression or happiness
  • Have changes in heart rate or breathing, sweating, or goose bumps

Complex partial seizures, where a person loses awareness (either partially or fully). He/she may:

  • Stare blankly or may seem to be daydreaming
  • Pick at the air or their clothing
  • Repeat words or phrases
Why take more than one antiepileptic medicine?

If you are experiencing partial-onset seizures on your current antiepileptic medicine, your doctor may recommend switching your medicine or adding another antiepileptic medicine to your treatment to help with seizure control. This additional medicine is called an "add-on therapy" or "adjunctive therapy".

BRIVIACT® (brivaracetam) CV is a prescription medicine that can be used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older. In clinical studies, patients who added BRIVIACT to their current antiepileptic treatment had fewer partial-onset seizures compared to patients who were taking a placebo and their current medicine(s).

ABOUT BRIVIACT
What is BRIVIACT and could it be right for me?

Controlling your partial-onset seizures may mean taking more than one antiepileptic medicine. BRIVIACT is a prescription medicine that can be used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older.

Why take BRIVIACT?

When BRIVIACT is added to existing antiepileptic medicines, it may:

  • Reduce the number of partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older who are currently taking one or more antiepileptic medicines
  • Provide additional seizure control:
    • without having to give up the benefits of your current antiepileptic medicine(s)
    • even if you have tried or are taking multiple antiepileptic medicines

In clinical trials:

  • BRIVIACT was added to 1 to 2 common antiepileptic medicines
  • Some patients were also being treated with vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)
  • The most common side effects of BRIVIACT included sleepiness, dizziness, feeling tired, and nausea and vomiting. Most of these side effects were reported to be mild to moderate

Starting Day One with BRIVIACT:

  • Your doctor will tell you how much BRIVIACT to take and when to take it. You start with the full recommended dose from day one. BRIVIACT does not require titration – which means that you may not need to increase your dose over several weeks. See Taking BRIVIACT for complete information on taking BRIVIACT

BRIVIACT may not be for everyone. You and your doctor should discuss the possible benefit and risks of treatment with BRIVIACT.

How does BRIVIACT work?

The exact way that BRIVIACT works is not yet fully understood, but it is thought that BRIVIACT reduces the frequency of partial-onset seizures by binding to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain.

BRIVIACT ‘DO’S’ AND ‘DON’TS’
How should I take BRIVIACT?
  • Take BRIVIACT exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. He or she will tell you how much BRIVIACT to take and when to take it
  • Take your prescribed dose on day one. BRIVIACT does not require titration — this means that you may not need to increase your dose over several weeks
  • For adults, the recommended starting dose is 50 mg twice daily (100 mg per day)
  • Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed
  • Do not stop BRIVIACT or change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider
  • Take BRIVIACT with or without food
  • Swallow BRIVIACT tablets whole with a liquid. Do not chew or crush BRIVIACT tablets before swallowing
  • Do not take BRIVIACT if you are allergic to brivaracetam or any of the ingredients in BRIVIACT
  • If your healthcare provider has prescribed BRIVIACT oral solution, be sure to ask your pharmacist for a medicine dropper or medicine cup to help you measure the correct amount of BRIVIACT oral solution. Do not use a household teaspoon or tablespoon. Ask your pharmacist for instructions on how to use the measuring device correctly
  • If you take too much BRIVIACT, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest emergency room right away
Do I need to increase my dose of BRIVIACT over several weeks?

Your doctor will tell you how much BRIVIACT to take and when to take it. You start with the full recommended dose from day one. BRIVIACT does not require titration – which means that you may not need to increase your dose over several weeks.

What if my seizures stop and I am feeling good? Do I still need to take BRIVIACT?

Taking your epilepsy medicine exactly as your doctor recommends is one of the most important things you can do to help manage your seizures. Do not stop taking your medicine if your seizures become less frequent or stop altogether. BRIVIACT is a daily treatment, so you must continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. If your doctor decides to stop your BRIVIACT treatment, he or she will give you instructions on how to slowly stop taking BRIVIACT.

Do not stop taking BRIVIACT without first talking to a healthcare provider. Stopping BRIVIACT suddenly can cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).

If I take too much BRIVIACT, what should I do?

If you take too much BRIVIACT, call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Will BRIVIACT affect my ability to drive or use machinery?

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how BRIVIACT affects you. BRIVIACT may cause drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, and problems with your balance and coordination.

What if I become pregnant while on BRIVIACT?

Before taking BRIVIACT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BRIVIACT will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking BRIVIACT. You and your healthcare provider will have to decide if you should take BRIVIACT while you are pregnant.

Can I breastfeed my baby if I am taking BRIVIACT?

Before taking BRIVIACT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. BRIVIACT passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take BRIVIACT.

Side effects
What are the most common side effects of BRIVIACT?

The most common side effects of BRIVIACT in adults include:

  • sleepiness
  • dizziness
  • feeling tired
  • nausea and vomiting

Side effects of BRIVIACT in children 1 month to less than 16 years of age are similar to those seen in adults.

These are not all the possible side effects of BRIVIACT. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Please see additional patient information in the Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.

Resources for patients and caregivers
How can I get my FREE Welcome Kit?

Receive your FREE welcome kit when you sign up for BRIVIACT Patient Support.

Your kit includes patient information and resources to help you get started on BRIVIACT. Sign up for Support

How can I find a neurologist or epileptologist?

Working with a neurologist or an epileptologist that you feel comfortable with, and who meets your needs, is important. Start your search here

Where can I find information for caregivers?

We have information and tips specifically for caregivers. Learn more now

 

 

ABOUT YOU

To be eligible for the BRIVIACT Savings Program, you must be a resident of the United States or Puerto Rico.
Select the statement that best describes you or the person you are representing (optional):
Are you or the person you are caring for taking (or going to be taking) BRIVIACT at the same time as another seizure treatment (optional)?

WAYS TO STAY INFORMED

Message and data rates may apply. Four (4) messages per month. Text “HELP” to 51590 for help. Text “STOPBRIV” to 51590 to stop all BRIVIACT messages. Text “STOP” to 51590 to stop all messages. See Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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Important Safety Information

What is BRIVIACT?

BRIVIACT® (brivaracetam) CV is a prescription medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in people 1 month of age and older. It is not known if BRIVIACT is safe and effective in children younger than 1 month of age.

What is the most important information I should know about BRIVIACT?

BRIVIACT is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep BRIVIACT in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away BRIVIACT may harm others and is against the law.

Like other antiepileptic drugs, BRIVIACT may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500 people taking it.

Call a healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:

  • thoughts about suicide or dying
  • attempts to commit suicide
  • new or worse depression
  • new or worse anxiety
  • feeling agitated or restless
  • panic attacks
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia)
  • new or worse irritability
  • acting aggressive, feeling angry, or being violent
  • acting on dangerous impulses
  • an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
  • other unusual changes in behavior or mood

Do not stop BRIVIACT without first talking to a healthcare provider.

  • Stopping BRIVIACT suddenly can cause serious problems.
  • Stopping a seizure medicine suddenly can cause seizures that will not stop (status epilepticus).

Who should not take BRIVIACT?

Do not take BRIVIACT if you are allergic to brivaracetam or any of the ingredients in BRIVIACT.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting BRIVIACT?

Before taking BRIVIACT, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have or had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.
  • have liver problems.
  • have abused or been dependent on prescription medicines, street drugs, or alcohol.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BRIVIACT will harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. BRIVIACT passes into your breast milk.

What should I avoid while taking BRIVIACT?

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how BRIVIACT affects you. BRIVIACT may cause drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness, and problems with your balance and coordination.

What are the possible side effects of BRIVIACT?

BRIVIACT may cause serious side effects, including:

  • See “What is the most important information I should know about BRIVIACT?”
  • Nervous system problems. Drowsiness, tiredness, and dizziness are common with BRIVIACT, but can be severe. See “What should I avoid while taking BRIVIACT?” BRIVIACT can also cause problems with balance and coordination.
  • Mental (psychiatric) symptoms. BRIVIACT can cause mood and behavior changes such as aggression, agitation, anger, anxiety, apathy, mood swings, depression, hostility, and irritability. Irritability and anxiety are common with BRIVIACT, and can be severe. People who take BRIVIACT can also get psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are really not there), delusions (false or strange thoughts or beliefs), and unusual behavior.

The most common side effects of BRIVIACT in adults include:

  • sleepiness
  • dizziness
  • feeling tired
  • nausea and vomiting

Side effects of BRIVIACT in children 1 month to less than 16 years of age are similar to those seen in adults.

These are not all the possible side effects of BRIVIACT. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to UCB, Inc. at UCBCares 844-599-CARES (2273).

 
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