Briviact is a brand-name drug prescribed for partial onset seizures. The medication is available as an oral tablet, oral solution, and IV infusion. Briviact belongs to the anticonvulsant drug class.

Briviact is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat partial onset seizures (also called focal onset seizures) in adults and children 1 month and older.

Drug details

The following list contains key information about Briviact.

  • Drug forms: oral tablet, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) infusion
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? yes
  • Year of FDA approval: 2016

Briviact is available only as a brand-name medication. Its active drug, brivaracetam, is not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Briviact can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using Briviact. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Briviact, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The FDA tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Briviact, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Briviact can include:

  • tiredness*
  • dizziness or trouble with coordination
  • fatigue
  • nausea or vomiting

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

This is a partial list of mild side effects from Briviact. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Briviact’s prescribing information.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Briviact aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects can include:

You can learn more about these serious side effects in the following section.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. You can also refer to this Briviact side effects article for more details.

Tiredness

Tiredness is a very common side effect that was reported in clinical studies of people using Briviact. To find out how often this side effect occurred, see the drug’s prescribing information.

You may be at an increased risk of feeling tired with higher doses of Briviact than usual.

Tiredness may occur when you first start using Briviact. Because of this, you should not drive or operate other machinery until you know how the drug affects you.

If Briviact makes you extremely tired, talk with your doctor about ways to ease this side effect. They may also recommend other medications that you can take for your seizures.

Mood changes

Mood changes or other psychotic symptoms are rare but may occur with Briviact use. To find out how often this type of side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information.

It’s important to know what symptoms to look out for so you can get treatment if you need it for mood changes and other psychotic symptoms. These changes and symptoms may include:

If you have a history of mood disorders, tell your doctor before you start using Briviact. They may monitor you more often than usual or recommend a different drug for your seizures.

It’s important to tell your doctor right away if you experience any mood changes with Briviact. They may recommend treatment for your mood changes or prescribe a different medication for your seizures.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after using Briviact. But it’s not known how often allergic reaction occurred in clinical trials of the drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Briviact, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Briviact may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Although this risk is rare, it’s very important to understand the symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, so that you can get treatment right away. Symptoms may include:

  • thoughts about suicide
  • depression
  • changes in mood or behaviors

It’s also important to talk with your doctor if you have or had suicidal thoughts or behaviors. They may monitor you more often than usual throughout your treatment with Briviact. Or they may recommend a different medication.

If you experience any suicidal thoughts or behaviors or mood changes while using Briviact, seek help immediately. Talk with your doctor right away or go to the hospital for treatment.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

You may be wondering whether Briviact and Keppra are the same. Refer to the table below for a comparison of these two drugs.

BriviactKeppra
Active ingredientbrivaracetamlevetiracetam
Formsoral tablet, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) infusion• oral tablet, oral solution, and IV infusion
• extended-release tablet (called Keppra XR)
Usespartial onset seizures (also called focal onset seizures)• partial onset seizures
• myoclonic seizures
• generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Briviact and Keppra may cause similar side effects and some different ones, as well. Sleepiness, fatigue, and dizziness are some of the more common side effects of each drug.

The Briviact dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re using Briviact to treat
  • the form of Briviact you use
  • other medical conditions you may have
  • age and body weight, in children

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they may adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Here’s some information on the forms and strengths that Briviact comes in.

Oral tablet. This form is used in adults and children ages 1 month and older.It comes in these strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg.

Oral liquid solution. This form is used in adults and children ages 1 month and older. It comes in one strength: 10 mg of Briviact in 1 milliliter (10 mg/mL) of liquid solution.

Intravenous (IV) infusion. You will receive this as an injection into a vein given over time. A healthcare professional will administer the injection in a doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital. It comes in one strength: 50 mg of Briviact in 5 mL (50 mg/5 mL) of liquid solution.

Dosages for partial onset seizures

Here’s some information on the dosages for Briviact in treating partial onset seizures.

Oral tablet and oral liquid solution

The oral tablet and oral liquid solution forms have the same dosages. The starting dosage for adults as well as children ages 16 years and older is typically 50 mg twice per day. Your doctor may adjust your dosing based on whether you have side effects and if the drug works for you.

For example, your doctor may recommend you take 50 mg twice daily at first. Then they may increase your dosage over time, up to 75 mg twice daily or 150 mg per day. This depends on your symptoms.

The minimum dosage of Briviact is 25 mg twice daily. The maximum dosage is 100 mg twice daily or a total daily dose of 200 mg. Doctors may prescribe smaller doses for children who weigh less than 50 kilograms (about 110 pounds).

IV infusion

You’ll only be given the IV infusion form of Briviact if you can’t take the drug by mouth. The IV infusion is only given as a short-term option until you can take the drug by mouth again.

The dosing for the IV infusion form of Briviact is the same as the dosing for the oral forms.

For example, you may take 50 mg of the oral tablet or oral liquid solution twice daily. If you need to switch to the IV infusion form, you’ll typically receive 50 mg intravenously twice daily. You’ll receive the IV infusion from a healthcare professional in your doctor’s office or a hospital.

Liver conditions

If you have any liver conditions, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Briviact than usual.

This is because your liver breaks Briviact down. If you have a liver condition, it may not be able to break down Briviact as it should. This can cause the level of the drug in your body to become too high, which can increase your risk for side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor about any liver conditions that you have before starting Briviact treatment.

Talking with your doctor

It’s very important that you do not stop using Briviact without first talking with your doctor. Stopping a seizure medication suddenly may cause seizures to occur more often than usual or status epilepticus (seizures that don’t stop). If you want to stop using Briviact, your doctor will typically decrease your dose slowly so that your body can adjust.

Children’s dosage

Briviact’s dosage is the same for children ages 16 years and older as for adults (see previous “Dosages for partial onset seizures”).

In children younger than 16 years, doctors base dosages on the child’s body weight.

Below is a table of recommended dosing. “Kg” stands for “kilograms,” “lb” stands for pounds, “and “mg” stands for milligrams.

Body weightStarting dosageMinimum and maximum maintenance dosage
Less than 11 kg (about 24 lb)0.75 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg twice daily0.75 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg twice daily
11 kg (about 24 lb) to less than 20 kg (about 44 lb)0.5 mg/kg to 1.25 mg/kg twice daily0.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg twice daily
20 kg (about 44 lb) to less than 50 kg (about 110 lb)0.5 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg twice daily0.5 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg twice daily
50 kg (about 110 lb) or more25 mg to 50 mg twice daily25 mg to 100 mg twice daily
Children ages 16 years and older50 mg twice daily25 mg to 100 mg twice daily

If you have any questions about the correct dosing for your child, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.

Note: It’s very important that you don’t have your child stop using Briviact without first talking with their doctor. Stopping the use of a seizure medication suddenly may cause seizures to occur more often than usual or cause status epilepticus (seizures that don’t stop). If you want your child to stop using Briviact, your doctor will typically decrease the dose so that your child’s body can adjust to the changes.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss taking a dose of Briviact, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.

If you miss your dose and wonder when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They should be able to recommend the best time for you to take your next dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Briviact is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Briviact is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Note: You can refer to this Briviact dosage article for details.

The FDA approves prescription drugs such as Briviact to treat certain conditions.

Briviact for partial onset seizures

Briviact is approved by the FDA to treat partial onset seizures (also called focal onset seizures). It’s used in adults and children age 1 month and older.

Partial onset seizures explained

Partial onset seizures can occur when a part of your brain has unusual electrical activity.

Symptoms of partial onset seizures may differ for each person, but can include muscle jerking or uncontrolled movements. Symptoms can also include numbness or tingling of your skin as well as loss of awareness or consciousness.

The two different types of partial onset seizures are:

  • Simple partial seizures. With these seizures, you remain conscious and aware of what’s happening. You may have uncontrolled muscle movements, jerking, or stiffness.
  • Complex partial seizures. With these seizures, you may not be aware of what’s happening around you. It may look like you’re staring. You may also perform activities over and over, such as repeating words out loud.

It’s not always known what causes partial onset seizures to occur. But some people may have triggers that cause them, such as certain drugs. These drugs can include clomipramine (Anafranil) and bupropion (Wellbutrin SR and Wellbutrin XL).

You can refer to our epilepsy & seizures hub for more information.

Effectiveness for partial onset seizures

Briviact is considered an effective medication to treat partial onset seizures in adults and children. For information on how Briviact performed in clinical trials, see its prescribing information.

Briviact and children

Briviact is approved by the FDA to treat partial onset seizures in children age 1 month and older.

As with all medications, the cost of Briviact can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Briviact. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or your insurance company.

Before approving coverage for Briviact, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Briviact, contact your insurance company.

Drug coupons

You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Briviact (see below). These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Briviact, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A patient savings card and other support services may be available for Briviact. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-948-2394 or visit the manufacturer’s website.

Mail-order pharmacies

Briviact may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Briviact, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor and your insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

Briviact is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Other drugs are available that can treat partial onset seizures. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Briviact, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug approved by FDA is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Alternatives for partial onset seizures

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat partial onset seizures include:

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Briviact.

Does Briviact cause weight loss or weight gain?

No, Briviact shouldn’t cause you to gain or lose weight. In clinical trials, weight changes weren’t reported by people taking this medication.

But other drugs that people may take for seizure disorders may cause weight gain. Sometimes, you may use Briviact in combination with these drugs to treat your condition. For example, divalproex (Depakote, Depakote ER) can cause either weight loss or weight gain.

If you experience unexpected weight changes while using Briviact, talk with your doctor. They may be able to help determine the cause and suggest ways you can manage your weight.

Is hair loss a side effect of Briviact?

No, you shouldn’t experience hair loss from using Briviact. Hair loss isn’t a side effect that was reported in clinical trials by people taking the drug.

Other medications that can be used for seizure disorders may cause hair loss. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take these medications in combination with Briviact to treat your seizure disorder.

For example, both divalproex (Depakote, Depakote ER) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) may cause hair loss. If you take either of these medications in combination with Briviact and you have hair loss, it may be due to divalproex or lamotrigine.

Talk with your doctor if you experience hair loss while using Briviact. They may be able to help determine the cause of the hair loss and suggest treatments.

Will Briviact cure my condition?

No, Briviact is not a cure for partial onset seizures. But the drug can treat your condition so that you experience seizures less often. At this time, there is no cure for partial onset seizures.

If you have other questions about Briviact and how it may help reduce the number of seizures you experience, talk with your doctor.

Based on clinical trials, it doesn’t appear that Briviact causes withdrawal symptoms or drug dependence. Drug dependence is when your body gets used to having a drug, and you need the drug to continue to function as usual. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug that you were dependent on.

However, if you suddenly stop taking Briviact, you may experience an increase in your seizures. Status epilepticus which refers to seizures that don’t stop, is also possible.

Due to this risk, you should not stop taking Briviact or change your dosage without first discussing this with your doctor. Your doctor will taper (gradually lower) your dosage in order to prevent increased seizures if you stop taking Briviact.

Briviact is used to treat partial onset seizures in certain people. These seizures may occur when a part of your brain has unusual electrical activity.

It’s not known exactly what Briviact’s mechanism of action is in treating partial onset seizures. (A drug’s mechanism of action is the way a drug works.)

But it’s thought that Briviact acts on a protein in your brain called synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A). This action may help reduce or stop seizures.

How long does it take to work?

Briviact begins working in your body as soon as you take a dose. But it’s possible that it may take you longer to notice the effects of Briviact. This is because the drug works to decrease the number of seizures that you have, so it may take time before you observe that you’re having fewer seizures than usual.

If you don’t notice a difference in your seizure frequency, talk with your doctor. You shouldn’t stop taking Briviact without first talking with them.

What’s the half-life of Briviact?

The half-life of Briviact is about 9 hours. (The half-life is the amount of time that it takes for your body to remove half a dose of the drug from your system.) It should take about 2 days for your body to fully remove Briviact.

Drinking alcohol while using Briviact may increase your risk of side effects. You may experience more side effects from Briviact, including dizziness and feeling very tired. You may also have more severe side effects from alcohol than usual, such as attention and memory problems.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you to consume while using Briviact.

Briviact can interact with several other medications.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.

Briviact and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Briviact. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Briviact.

Before using Briviact, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can interact with Briviact include:

  • Rifampin (Rimactane): Taking rifampin in combination with Briviact may lower the level of Briviact in your body. So if you also take rifampin, your doctor may increase your dose of Briviact.
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol): Briviact may increase the level of carbamazepine in your system. If you take these medications together, your doctor will monitor you for side effects. They may also decrease your dose of carbamazepine.
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin): Briviact may increase the level of phenytoin in your body. Because of this, your doctor will typically check your phenytoin level throughout your treatment with Briviact. Based on the results, they may also recommend a lower dose of phenytoin than usual.

Briviact and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Briviact. But you should still talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while using Briviact.

Briviact and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Briviact. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Briviact, talk with your doctor.

Note: You can refer to this Briviact interactions article for details.

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Briviact is a safe choice for you.

You can refer to this article for more information. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Briviact can lead to serious side effects. Do not take more Briviact than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Sometimes, you may use Briviact as monotherapy for your partial onset seizures. (“Monotherapy” refers to treatment that’s used alone.) It’s also possible that your doctor will recommend using Briviact in combination with other medications.

In some instances, medications may work better when they are used together to treat seizure conditions. Examples of some medications that may be used in combination with Briviact include:

  • lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
  • topiramate (Topamax)
  • valproic acid (Valproate)

Before you start using Briviact, talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your condition.

You should take Briviact according to the instructions your doctor or other healthcare professional gives you.

Briviact is available in three different forms: an oral tablet, an oral liquid solution, and an intravenous (IV) infusion.

Oral tablet. You swallow Briviact oral tablets twice daily. You should swallow them whole with liquid. You can take the tablets with or without food.

Oral liquid solution. You measure this form out using a dosing spoon or cup, which is available from your pharmacy. Do not use household teaspoons or tablespoons to measure your dose. You can take it with or without food. The oral solution of Briviact can also be given through certain feeding tubes called nasogastric tubes or gastrostomy tubes, if needed.

After you have opened the oral solution bottle, you must use the medication within 5 months. If you don’t finish the bottle within 5 months of opening it, discard the remaining solution.

Intravenous (IV) infusion. A doctor or another healthcare professional administers this form of Briviact in your doctor’s office, a clinic, or a hospital. It’s an injection into a vein, given over a period of 2 to 15 minutes. This form of Briviact is used short-term, only if Briviact can’t be taken by mouth.

Note: For information about dosage, see the “Briviact dosage” section above.

When to take

You’ll likely take Briviact twice daily.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app.

Taking Briviact with food

You can take Briviact oral tablets or oral liquid solution with or without food. But you should take the oral tablets with liquid.

The IV infusion can be given with or without food. You’ll likely receive instructions about how to prepare for your infusion from your doctor’s office, clinic, or hospital.

If you have questions about taking Briviact with food, talk with your doctor.

Can Briviact tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should not crush, split, or chew Briviact tablets. You should swallow them whole with liquid.

If you have difficulty swallowing your Briviact tablets, talk with your doctor. They may be able to switch you to the oral liquid solution form of Briviact, which may be easier for you to take.

Before using Briviact, talk with your doctor about your health history. Briviact may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Briviact, see the “Briviact side effects” section earlier in the article.

When you get Briviact from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the package. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication remains effective during this time. The current stanceTrusted Source of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store Briviact oral tablets and oral liquid at 77°F (25°C). If needed, you can store these forms for a short time between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).

Disposal

If you no longer need to use Briviact and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

Keep in mind that you should dispose of Briviact oral liquid solution 5 months after you first open the bottle.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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