INTRODUCTION

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET contains Brivaracetam, which belongs to the group of medicines called anti-epileptics. It is used to treat epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain, characterized by recurrent seizures, which are small episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized) and are sometimes associated with loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

Before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET inform your doctor if you have depression, suicidal ideations, or any unusual changes in mood and behaviour. BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is not recommended to use in patients with severe liver problems. BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is generally not recommended for use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is not recommended for use in children under 4 years of age.

The most common side effects of taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET are feeling sleepy or dizzy, flu, feeling very tired, convulsion (a feeling of spinning), feeling and being sick and constipation, depression, anxiety, not being able to sleep, irritability, infection of nose and throat and decreased appetite. Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms worsen.

USES OF BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET

• Treats epilepsy

HOW BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET WORKS

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET works by attaching itself to specific sites (SV2A) on the surfaces of nerve cells which suppresses the abnormal activity of the nerve cells in the brain and prevents the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or vomiting:

Take this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil-rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if your side effects get worse or persist.

Constipation:

Eat plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if your side effects get worse or persist.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary. Consult your doctor before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

BREASTFEEDING

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it may pass through breast milk. Consult your doctor before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel sleepy, dizzy or tired while taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

ALCOHOL

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

KIDNEY

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with impaired renal function. Consult your doctor before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

LIVER

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Consult your doctor before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

ALLERGY

Do not take BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET if you are allergic to brivaracetam or other similar chemical compounds such as levetiracetam or piracetam or any other ingredients of BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• rifampicin (a medicine used to treat bacterial infections)
• herbal medicine such as St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat depression and anxiety as well as other conditions)
• carbamazepine
• phenytoin

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose include dizziness, sleep, feeling sick, a feeling of ‘spinning’, problems keeping your balance, anxiety, feeling very tired, irritability, being aggressive, not being able to sleep, depression, thoughts or attempts of harming or killing yourself.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET out of reach from children
• Store at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET

What is BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET prescribe for?

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is prescribed to treat epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain, that affects around 50 million people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized) and are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

What are the side effects of BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET?

The most common side effects of BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET are feeling sleepy or dizzy, flu, feeling very tired (fatigue), convulsion, a feeling of ‘spinning’ (vertigo), feeling and being sick, constipation, depression, anxiety, not being able to sleep (insomnia), irritability, infections of the nose and throat (such as the ‘common cold’), cough, decreased appetite.

In which condition I should avoid BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET?

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is not recommended for use, if you have liver disease, alcohol dependence, and suicidal thoughts. Consult your doctor for advice.

Does BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET causes suicidal thoughts?

BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET may cause suicidal thoughts of harming or killing themselves. If you have any of these thoughts at any time, contact your doctor immediately.

Is it safe to take BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET with alcohol?

Consumption of alcohol with BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET is not recommended as it can result in dizziness and difficulty in concentration. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms.

Can I take BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET with or without food?

The BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET can be taken with or without food. Swallow the BRIVANEXT 50 TABLET with a glass of water. Consult your doctor for advice.

REFERENCES

1. Misty D. Smith, Cameron S. Metcalf, and Karen S. Wilcox. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological basics of Therapeutics. 13th Edition. New York McGraw Hill Medical 2018. Page – 303-326.

2. Felix Zahnert, Kristina Krause, Ilka Immisch, Lena Habermehl, Iris Gorny, Izabella Chmielewska, Leona Möller, Anna M. Weyand, Peter M. Mross, Jan Wagner, Katja Menzler and Susanne Knake. Brivaracetam in the Treatment of Patients with Epilepsy - First Clinical Experiences. Journal of Frontiers in neurology. February 2018. [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2018.00038/full

3. Farbod Khaleghi, and Eric C. Nemec. A Novel Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures. February 2017. [Accessed on 2nd May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5265234/

4. UCB Pharma limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2021] [Accessed 2nd May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.1963.pdf

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Dr. Dhivakaran R, BDS
Last updated on 22 Oct 2022 | 11:04 AM(IST)