brivaracetam vs lamotrigine
Side-by-side comparison of brivaracetam and lamotrigine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Briviact
Lamictal
Brivaracetam is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures. It helps to reduce the number of seizures you have.
Lamotrigine is a medicine that can treat seizures and bipolar disorder. It works by reducing irregular electrical activity in the brain.
Brivaracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures. These seizures start in one part of the brain. It can be used alone or with other seizure medicines for people 1 month and older.
Lamotrigine can treat epilepsy in adults and children 2 years and older. It can help with partial-onset seizures, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It can also be used to delay mood episodes in adults with bipolar I disorder.
Brivaracetam binds to a protein in the brain called SV2A. This helps to reduce the electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures. It helps to stabilize nerve cells.
Lamotrigine affects how nerves in the brain send signals to each other. It is thought to work by decreasing the release of certain chemicals. This helps to stabilize electrical activity and prevent seizures or mood swings.
- • Feeling sleepy or tired
- • Dizziness
- • Fatigue
- • Nausea or vomiting
- • Dizziness
- • Headache
- • Double vision
- • Uncoordinated movements
- • Nausea
- Seizure 2,902
- Using the medicine for a condition it's not approved for 1,036
- The medicine is not working 896
- Tiredness 518
- Sleepiness 442
- The medicine is not working 9,923
- Skin rash 8,408
- Seizure 6,527
- Feeling sick to your stomach 6,151
- Tiredness 5,914
Brivaracetam can cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Watch for new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in mood. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Do not stop taking brivaracetam suddenly, as this may increase your risk of seizures.
Lamotrigine can cause a serious skin rash that may require you to go to the hospital. This rash can be life-threatening. The risk is higher in children. Stop taking lamotrigine and see a doctor right away if you get a rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take brivaracetam during pregnancy. Contact the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry at 1-888-233-2334.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lamotrigine may cause harm to an unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take lamotrigine during pregnancy. You can enroll by calling 1-888-233-2334.
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How to Read This brivaracetam vs lamotrigine Comparison
brivaracetam is classified in the Anticonvulsant (SV2A Ligand) drug class, while lamotrigine sits within the Anticonvulsant class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, brivaracetam has 5,794 submissions while lamotrigine has 36,923. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between brivaracetam and lamotrigine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.