Abstract |
Brivaracetam is the latest approved antiepileptic drug in focal epilepsy and exhibits high affinity as SV2A-ligand. More than two thousand patients have received brivaracetam within randomized placebo-controlled trials. Significant median seizure reduction rates of 30.5% to 53.1% for 50 mg/d, 32.5% to 37.2% for 100 mg/d and 35.6% for 200 mg/d were reported. Likewise, 50% responder rates were 32.7% to 55.8% for 50 mg/d, 36% to 38.9% for 100 mg/d and 37.8% for 200 mg/d. Overall, brivaracetam is well tolerated. The main adverse events are fatigue, dizziness, and somnolence. Immediate switch from levetiracetam to brivaracetam at a conversion ratio between 10:1 to 15:1 is feasible, and might alleviate the behavioral side effects associated with levetiracetam. Brivaracetam has the potential to perform as an important, possibly broad-spectrum AED, initially in patients with drug-refractory epilepsies. Its intravenous formulation may be a new and desirable alternative for status epilepticus, but there is so far no experience in these patients.
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Authors | Adam Strzelczyk, Karl Martin Klein, Laurent M Willems, Felix Rosenow, Sebastian Bauer |
Journal | Expert review of clinical pharmacology
(Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol)
Vol. 9
Issue 5
Pg. 637-45
( 2016)
ISSN: 1751-2441 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 26891946
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Anticonvulsants
- Pyrrolidinones
- brivaracetam
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Topics |
- Anticonvulsants
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
- Epilepsy
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Pyrrolidinones
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
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