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Introduction About BRIVANEXT INJECTION
BRIVANEXT INJECTION contains Brivaracetam, which belongs to the group of medicines called anti-epileptics. It is used to manage 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 INJECTION inform your doctor if you have depression, suicidal ideations, or any unusual changes in mood and behaviour. BRIVANEXT INJECTION is not recommended to use in patients with severe liver problems. BRIVANEXT INJECTION is generally not recommended to use in pregnancy and breastfeeding women. BRIVANEXT INJECTION is not recommended for use in children under 4 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
The most common side effects of taking BRIVANEXT INJECTION 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 INJECTION
- Manage epilepsy
How BRIVANEXT INJECTION Works
Brivaracetam 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 manages the spread of electrical signals that cause seizures.
How to use BRIVANEXT INJECTION
BRIVANEXT INJECTION must be given by a doctor or nurse into the veins as an intravenous infusion. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition.
Side Effects Of BRIVANEXT INJECTION
Common
- 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
- infection of the nose and throat (such as the ‘common cold’), cough
- decreased appetite
- restlessness and hyperactivity (psychomotor hyperactivity)
Uncommon
- allergic reactions
- loss of touch with reality and/or abnormal thinking (psychotic disorder)
- being aggressive
- nervous excitement (agitation)
- attempts or thoughts of harming or killing yourself
- decrease in white blood cells (called ‘neutropenia’)
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 INJECTION is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Breastfeeding
BRIVANEXT INJECTION is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it may pass through breast milk. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Driving and Using Machines
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel sleepy, dizzy, or tired while receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Alcohol
Avoid consumption of alcohol while receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Kidney
BRIVANEXT INJECTION is not recommended for use in patients with impaired renal function. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Liver
BRIVANEXT INJECTION should be taken with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Allergy
Do not receive BRIVANEXT INJECTION if you are allergic to brivaracetam or other similar chemical compounds such as levetiracetam or piracetam or any other ingredients of BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Others
Before taking BRIVANEXT INJECTION, inform your doctor if you have:
- depression, suicidal ideations, or any unusual changes in mood and behaviour
Use in pediatrics:
BRIVANEXT INJECTION is not recommended for use in children under 4 years of age. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Use in geriatrics:
BRIVANEXT INJECTION should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above). Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking BRIVANEXT INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:
- rifampicin (a medicine used to manage bacterial infections)
- St John’s wort (also known as Hypericum perforatum)- herbal medicine is used to manage depression and anxiety as well as other conditions
Overdosage:
BRIVANEXT INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital and it is so unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual problems.
Synopsis
| Drug | : | Brivaracetam |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Anti-epileptics |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Epilepsy |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Injection, Oral solution, syrup |
More Information
- Keep BRIVANEXT INJECTION out of reach of children
- Store at room temperature
FAQs About BRIVANEXT INJECTION
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain, which affects around 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is 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.
Can I stop taking BRIVANEXT INJECTION if I start feeling better?
No, BRIVANEXT INJECTION should not be stopped even if you start feeling better. Suddenly stopping the medicine may cause continuous seizures which can be difficult to control. You should consult your doctor who will advise you to discontinue BRIVANEXT INJECTION gradually.
BRIVANEXT INJECTION can be used in children?
BRIVANEXT INJECTION is not recommended for use in children below 4 years of age. Consult your doctor before receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
Can BRIVANEXT INJECTION be given to nursing mothers?
No. BRIVANEXT INJECTION should not be used in nursing mothers as it is excreted via milk and can get transferred to the baby while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before you start receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
What precaution is to be taken if received more BRIVANEXT INJECTION?
BRIVANEXT INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital and it is so unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual problems.
How to store BRIVANEXT INJECTION?
BRIVANEXT INJECTION to be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place and away from the reach of children.
BRIVANEXT INJECTION can be taken during hepatic impairment?
Caution should be taken while receiving BRIVANEXT INJECTION during hepatic impairment. Consult your doctor before taking the BRIVANEXT INJECTION.
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.1967.pdf
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