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Brivaracetam: An Adjunctive Treatment for Partial-Onset Seizures
John A Kappes1, William J Hayes2, Joe D Strain1
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, South Dakota State University, College of Pharmacy, Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD, USA.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|April 11, 2017
Summary
Brivaracetam is an effective adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures, showing reduced seizure frequency in trials. Common side effects include drowsiness and dizziness, with limited long-term data available.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Brivaracetam is a Food and Drug Administration-approved adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures.
- It is an analogue of levetiracetam with a similar mechanism of action but higher affinity for synaptic vesicle protein 2A.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of brivaracetam as an adjunctive treatment for partial-onset seizures.
- To review brivaracetam's pharmacological profile, dosing, and clinical limitations.
Main Methods:
- Placebo-controlled trials were conducted to assess brivaracetam's efficacy in reducing seizure frequency.
- Safety and efficacy were evaluated over periods up to 16 weeks in patients aged 16 and older.
Main Results:
- Adjunctive brivaracetam demonstrated efficacy in reducing seizure frequency compared to placebo.
- The most frequent adverse effects reported were somnolence, dizziness, and fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Brivaracetam is a viable therapeutic option for refractory partial-onset seizures, particularly in patients who have not responded to conventional therapies.
- Limitations include a lack of head-to-head trials, limited long-term data, and cost considerations.