brivaracetam vs pregabalin
Side-by-side comparison of brivaracetam and pregabalin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Briviact
Lyrica
Brivaracetam is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures. It helps to reduce the number of seizures you have.
Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a medicine that can help manage nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and partial-onset seizures. It works by calming overactive nerves in your body.
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.
This medicine is used to treat nerve pain caused by diabetes, shingles, or spinal cord injury. It can also help with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread pain. Pregabalin can also be used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in adults and children as young as 1 month old.
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.
Pregabalin works by binding to certain areas in your brain and spinal cord. This action helps to reduce the release of chemicals that send pain signals. By reducing these signals, pregabalin can help to lessen pain and control seizures.
- • Feeling sleepy or tired
- • Dizziness
- • Fatigue
- • Nausea or vomiting
- • Dizziness
- • Sleepiness
- • Dry mouth
- • Swelling
- • Blurred vision
- 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 26,491
- Pain 25,904
- Tiredness 15,111
- Feeling dizzy 14,526
- Feeling sick to your stomach 14,050
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.
Pregabalin can cause swelling of the throat, head, and neck, which can be life-threatening. Get emergency help right away if this happens. This medicine can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for any changes in your mood or behavior. Pregabalin may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating machinery. Do not stop taking pregabalin suddenly, as this can cause increased seizures or other side effects.
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.
Taking pregabalin during pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of birth defects. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine. Breastfeeding while taking pregabalin is not recommended.
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How to Read This brivaracetam vs pregabalin Comparison
brivaracetam is classified in the Anticonvulsant (SV2A Ligand) drug class, while pregabalin sits within the Anticonvulsant / Nerve Pain Agent 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 pregabalin has 96,082. 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 pregabalin — 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.