Brivaracetam

When should one not use Brivaracetam

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Other General Warnings

• You are getting thoughts of suicide or self-harm and behavioural changes.
• You have a liver or kidney problem because in such health conditions dose adjustment is required.
• You experience dizziness or drowsiness after taking this medicine.
• You feel behavioural changes including psychotic symptoms, irritation, depression, anxiety or aggression. In such conditions, you may need close monitoring during the treatment.
• You experience breathing problems and swelling of the skin. It may be required to discontinue the treatment immediately and also advised not to restart the medicine if such adverse reactions occur.
• This medicine should be stopped gradually to avoid associated side effects. Abrupt withdrawal of this medicine may lead to increased frequency of fits or seizures and status epilepticus (a seizure that lasts for a longer duration than the usual seizure episodes).
• It is advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you are confident enough about the effects of this medicine.

How Does It Work?

• Seizures generally occur due to abnormal nerve activity in the brain resulting in uncontrolled movements, loss of consciousness and abnormal feelings.
• Brivaracetam acts on the brain and inhibits the spread of abnormal electrical activity. It works by binding itself to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), a specific receptor in the brain and helps in stabilizing the neuronal disturbance in the brain which can cause seizures.

Interactions with other medicines

• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking to avoid any possible interactions.
• Brivaracetam can affect the action of other medicines and other medicines may also affect the action of Brivaracetam if taken together or at the same time.
• Especially if you are taking rifampicin - a medicine which is used to treat bacterial infections and St John's wort (also known as Hypericum perforatum) - a herbal medicine used to treat mood disorders and anxiety as well as other conditions.

Overdose

Missed a Dose