brivaracetam
Brand names: Briviact
Brivaracetam is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures. It helps to reduce the number of seizures you have.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$22.93/unit
Generic Available
Yes (13 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Brivaracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures.
Common side effects
Feeling sleepy or tired, Dizziness, Fatigue
Key warnings
Brivaracetam can cause suicidal thoughts or actions.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take brivaracetam tablets exactly as your doctor tells you. For adults and children 16 years and older, the usual starting dose is 50 mg twice a day. You can take brivaracetam with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a liquid; do not chew or crush them.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store brivaracetam tablets at room temperature (68° to 77°F).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 7,767 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,286 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2010–2025.
Total Reports
4,286
Death-Related Reports
236
Hospitalization Reports
1,362
Top Indication
Seizure
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEIZURE | 1,810 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 568 |
| 3 | OFF LABEL USE | 552 |
| 4 | THERAPY INTERRUPTED | 280 |
| 5 | OVERDOSE | 233 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 230 |
| 7 | SOMNOLENCE | 216 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 213 |
| 9 | PRODUCT AVAILABILITY ISSUE | 211 |
| 10 | FALL | 199 |
| 11 | PRODUCT USE ISSUE | 168 |
| 12 | MULTIPLE-DRUG RESISTANCE | 165 |
| 13 | GENERALISED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE | 162 |
| 14 | EPILEPSY | 151 |
| 15 | AGGRESSION | 148 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
(7.3) Levetiracetam: Brivaracetam had no added therapeutic benefit when co-administered with levetiracetam. 7.4 Levetiracetam Brivaracetam provided no added therapeutic benefit to levetiracetam when the two drugs were co-administered [see Clinical Studies (14)] .
Mechanism: These two seizure medicines are very similar and work on the same parts of the brain. Taking them both at the same time does not provide any extra help in controlling seizures.
What to do: You should generally not take these two medicines together because there is no added benefit.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Rifampin: Because of decreased concentrations, increasing brivaracetam dosage in patients on concomitant rifampin is recommended. (7.4) 7.1 Rifampin Co-administration with rifampin decreases brivaracetam plasma concentrations likely because of CYP2C19 induction [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . Prescribers should increase the brivaracetam dose by up to 100% (i.e., double the dosage) in patients while receiving concomitant treatment with rifampin [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)] .
Mechanism: Rifampin causes your body to break down brivaracetam much faster than normal. This lowers the amount of medicine in your blood, which can make it less effective at preventing seizures.
What to do: Your doctor should increase your brivaracetam dose, potentially doubling it, while you are taking rifampin.
(7.2) Phenytoin: Because phenytoin concentrations can increase, phenytoin levels should be monitored in patients on concomitant brivaracetam. 7.3 Phenytoin Because brivaracetam can increase plasma concentrations of phenytoin, phenytoin levels should be monitored in patients when concomitant brivaracetam is added to or discontinued from ongoing phenytoin therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Mechanism: Brivaracetam can cause the levels of phenytoin in your blood to rise. This happens because brivaracetam interferes with how your body processes and removes phenytoin.
What to do: Your doctor should check your phenytoin blood levels regularly if you start or stop taking brivaracetam.
Accordingly, the dosage of carbamazepine should be adjusted and/or the plasma levels monitored when used concomitantly with loxapine, quetiapine, valproic acid, or brivaracetam.
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs together can change the amount of carbamazepine in your blood, which might affect how well the medicine works.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood levels and may need to adjust your carbamazepine dose.
Common Questions
Can I drive while taking brivaracetam?
What should I do if I have side effects?
Can I take brivaracetam with other medicines?
How often will I see the doctor while taking brivaracetam?
What if I have liver problems?
Can children take brivaracetam?
What if I am breastfeeding?
Can I stop taking brivaracetam suddenly?
What if I accidentally take too much brivaracetam?
Is there a generic version of brivaracetam?
What are the common side effects of brivaracetam?
Does brivaracetam interact with other medications?
What drug class is brivaracetam?
Is brivaracetam safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Anticonvulsant (SV2A Ligand)
Other drugs grouped near brivaracetam — same-class peers and common alternatives.
cannabidiol
Epidiolex
Epidiolex is a medicine that contains cannabidiol.
Compare with brivaracetam →
carbamazepine
Tegretol
Carbamazepine is a medicine used to control seizures and treat nerve pain.
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cenobamate
Xcopri
Xcopri is a medicine used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults.
Compare with brivaracetam →
clobazam
Onfi, Sympazan
Clobazam oral suspension is a medicine used with other medicines to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Compare with brivaracetam →
clonazepam
Klonopin
Clonazepam is a medicine that belongs to the benzodiazepine class.
Compare with brivaracetam →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for brivaracetam
The FDA label for brivaracetam (sold under brand names such as Briviact) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Anticonvulsant (SV2A Ligand) class. Brivaracetam is used to treat partial-onset seizures. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling sleepy or tired, Dizziness, Fatigue.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 7,767 voluntary reports. The database also lists 4 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 15, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages