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Overview: Briviact is used to treat certain types of seizures. Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Briviact affects you. Tell your health care provider right away if you have changes in your mood or behavior. Do not stop this medicine without talking with your health care provider.

Uses

What is Briviact used for?

Briviact (brivaracetam) is commonly used to treat certain types of seizures.

Briviact may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Briviact work (mechanism of action)?

Seizures happen when too many nerve signals are sent between brain cells too quickly. Briviact is thought to work by slowing down overactive brain signals and making seizures less likely.

How is Briviact supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Briviact

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg/mL oral solution

How should I store Briviact?

Oral Tablets. Briviact tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not remove the tablets from blister packs until you are ready to take a dose. 

Oral Liquid. Briviact liquid should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not freeze it. Throw away the liquid five months after opening it.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Briviact?

The most common side effects of Briviact are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness or tiredness
  • Nausea and vomiting

There may be other side effects of Briviact that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Briviact?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Briviact are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Suicidal Thoughts and Actions. Briviact may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a small number of people. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Briviact can make you dizzy or sleepy, so it may affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Briviact affects you.

Hallucinations or Psychotic-Like Behaviors. Briviact may cause hallucinations or psychotic-like behaviors. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms or if you have been told by others that you have these symptoms.

  • Hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or otherwise perceiving things that others do not
  • Delusional thoughts, such as false beliefs that you are being controlled
  • Disorganized thoughts, such as jumping between topics or having a hard time focusing
  • Sudden decline in self-care, such as personal hygiene or academic/work performance
  • Aggressive behavior

Severe Allergic Reactions. Briviact may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Briviact?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Briviact.

  • Brivaracetam
  • Briviact
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Briviact.

What should I know about Briviact before using it?

Do not take Briviact unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Briviact with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Briviact out of the reach of children. Briviact is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store Briviact in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole. Do not chew or crush it.

If you are taking the liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a right measuring device.

While Briviact helps make seizures less likely, it does not cure them. Do not stop taking Briviact without talking to your health care provider. Stopping Briviact suddenly may cause an increase in seizure activity, which can be serious.

Briviact can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Briviact affects you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Briviact?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Briviact is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Mental health problems
  • Alcohol use disorder 
  • Substance use disorder

Other Medicines and Supplements. Briviact may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Briviact, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Briviact could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Briviact while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Briviact, you can sign up for the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry by calling 888-233-2334 or at www.aedpregnancyregistry.org. This registry collects safety information about the use of seizure medicines during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Briviact passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Briviact while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Briviact?

For more information about Briviact, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.briviact.com or call them at 844-599-2273.

Interactions

Does Briviact interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Briviact and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Briviact. The risk of dizziness and drowsiness may increase if you drink alcohol while taking Briviact.

Does Briviact interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Briviact.

  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Briviact, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Briviact. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Briviact?

If you or someone else has used too much Briviact, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Briviact?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.