Authors : Mandar Gopalkrishna Waghralkar*, Shashidhar Manchala
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijn.2023.004
Volume : 9
Issue : 1
Year : 2023
Page No : 19-22
Background: Brivaracetam (BRV) is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) approved for adjunctive treatment of focal (partial-onset) seizures in adults. It is a selective, high-affinity ligand for synaptic vesicle 2A (SV2A) with much higher affinity than Levetiracetam (LEV). It has a high lipid solubility and rapid brain penetration, and has been shown to have potent broad-spectrum antiepileptic activity in animal models. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of BRV in everyday clinical practice.
Materials and Methods: This observational study included 35 participants, suffering from different types of epilepsy. Patients were observed over a period of 1 year and data was collected using an interview design model. After the initial interview, a final interview took place after 1 year. Various parameters studied included demographic parameters, seizure frequency and duration, any side effects such as behavioral issues.
Results: This study included total 35 patients. The mean age of the participants was 33 years (range 3 – 90 years). Approximately 63% patients demonstrated a decrease in seizure frequency after switching to Brivacetam. Out of these patients, 76% patients were those patients, who were earlier treated with Levetiracetam, and it was discontinued either due to inadequate control of seizures or prominent side-effects. Brivaracetam also improved emotional balance in the treated patients (treatment naïve or Levetiracteam associated behavioral issues).
Conclusion: Brivaracetam seems to be an effective and safe antiepileptic drug in the routine clinical setting.
Keywords: Brivaracetam, Levetiracteam, Antiepileptic drug, Efficacy, Tolerability, Epilepsy, Seizures, Interview design and Levetiracetam