FDA approves Briviact for the treatment of epileptic seizures

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that Briviact (brivaracetam) has been approved as a treatment for epileptic seizures by being added on to other medications.

The drug is intended to treat the partial onset of seizures in patients with epilepsy who are 16 years of age or older.

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that results in recurring seizures in people who are stricken with the disease. Seizures occur when neurons cluster in the brain and experience frenzied activation. The result of which is abnormal brain activity, resulting in episodes, the duration of which are normally short. Uncontrolled movements and spasms, atypical thinking and behavior, and irregular sensations are the normal symptoms of seizures.

Briviact went through three clinical trials to determine whether or not it would be effective in treating the seizures of patients. Involved in the trials were 1,550 participants. When Briviact was added to other medications it showed a tendency to help reduce the regularity of seizures. Side effects that occurred more often than others were drowsiness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

The FDA stresses the importance of distributing Medication Guides to any patients who are given Briviact. The guides provide usage information and risks.