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What is the difference between Briviact and Keppra?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 1, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Briviact (brivaracetam) and Keppra (levetiracetam) are anticonvulsant medicines that target the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain. The newer agent Briviact is noted to be more selective and has a higher affinity for this receptor than Keppra.

Briviact and Keppra are both used as monotherapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures.

Keppra is also used as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of myoclonic seizures in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Keppra XR is an extended release tablet formulation used for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 12 years of age and older.

Briviact Keppra
Dosage Forms
  • tablets
  • oral solution
  • injection
  • tablets
  • oral solution
  • injection
Indications

Oral formulations and Injection

  • treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older

Oral formulations and Injection

  • treatment of partial onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older
  • adjunctive therapy for the treatment of myoclonic seizures in patients 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
  • adjunctive therapy for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Side Effects Common side effects include somnolence/sedation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting. Common side effects include somnolence, asthenia, infection, dizziness, and irritability.

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