Briviact (brivaracetam)
An approved treatment for Focal Epilepsy.
The same compound appears under different names depending on the context. Here is how to identify Brivaracetam wherever you encounter it, plus the key facts at a glance.
- Generic name
- Brivaracetam
- Brand name
- Briviact
- Development code
- UCB 34714
- Drug class
- SV2A ligand (antiseizure medication)
- Manufacturer
- UCB
- How it's taken
- Taken by mouth twice daily as a tablet or liquid, with an intravenous form for hospital use.
A newer relative of levetiracetam that hits the same brain target (SV2A) but binds it far more tightly and selectively. It tends to cause fewer of the mood and irritability side effects that lead some patients to stop levetiracetam.
Where Brivaracetam fits
Often chosen for people who respond to levetiracetam's mechanism but cannot tolerate its behavioral side effects; used as both add-on and monotherapy for focal seizures, with rapid onset and little titration.
How Brivaracetam works
Brivaracetam works on the same SV2A protein as levetiracetam, the switch on the brain's neurotransmitter-storage sacs that helps control how excitable a nerve cell is. The difference is that brivaracetam binds SV2A about 15 to 30 times more tightly and more selectively, and it also enters the brain quickly.
This tighter, cleaner binding is thought to be why brivaracetam causes fewer of the mood and behavioral effects associated with levetiracetam, giving doctors an alternative for patients who benefit from the SV2A mechanism but struggle with irritability[2].
Mechanism: High-affinity, selective ligand for synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A), a close relative of levetiracetam that binds the same target more tightly
Side effects and safety
The most common side effects are sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Mood and behavioral changes can still occur but appear less frequently than with levetiracetam. Effects are usually mild and often ease over time.
Like all antiseizure medications, brivaracetam carries the class warning about a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts, and any new mood change should be reported[1]. Rarely, it can cause serious allergic reactions (trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat) and serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, so get medical help right away for these and call your doctor at the first sign of a rash. The label also warns about psychiatric effects such as aggression or psychotic symptoms, and says not to stop it suddenly, since that can bring on more seizures.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Taking Brivaracetam
Taken by mouth twice daily as a tablet or liquid, with an intravenous form for hospital use. It needs essentially no dose ramp-up, so patients can start at an effective dose. Brivaracetam is a Schedule V controlled substance in the U.S.[1].
Availability and cost
Generic versions may be available at a lower cost. Ask your pharmacist.
Help paying for Briviact
Pick your insurance to see which help fits. Drugmaker copay cards can't be used with Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE; charity funds are the usual route there.
- Copay help
Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $10 per 30-day supply. Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA and other government plans excluded.
For: private insurance · source - Free medicine program
UCB Patient Assistance Program covers Briviact for uninsured/underinsured patients or those with hardship; household income up to 500% of poverty level.
For: no insurance, underinsured · source - Other support
UCB Direct: fills branded Briviact through a UCB-authorized pharmacy with insurance or self-pay options.
The official page does not say who qualifies. Ask the program. · source
Good to know: Savings card expires each calendar year. A generic is now available; the site says pharmacies may substitute generic unless instructed. UCBCares: 1-844-599-2273.
- From a charity · The Assistance FundEpilepsy fundWaitlist
Pays for: Copays, coinsurance, deductibles and other health-related expenses.
The foundation says: “WAITLIST — Accepting Waitlist Patients. TAF is currently accepting requests to join the enrollment waitlist for this program. Waitlists a…”
Clinical trial results
The FDA approved brivaracetam in February 2016 as an add-on treatment for focal (partial-onset) seizures in patients 16 and older, based on placebo-controlled trials showing significant seizure reduction. It was later approved as monotherapy and for younger children, and can be used as a direct switch for patients already on levetiracetam[1].
Development history
Brivaracetam was developed by UCB, the same company behind levetiracetam, specifically as a more potent, better-tolerated successor targeting SV2A. It reached the U.S. market as Briviact in 2016 and is positioned as the tolerability-focused option within the SV2A drug class[2]. Generic brivaracetam tablets, oral solution and injection were approved by the FDA starting in February 2026.
Explore Focal Epilepsy trials
Other Focal Epilepsy treatments
Common questions about Brivaracetam
▸What is Brivaracetam (Briviact)?
A newer relative of levetiracetam that hits the same brain target (SV2A) but binds it far more tightly and selectively. It tends to cause fewer of the mood and irritability side effects that lead some patients to stop levetiracetam.
▸How does Brivaracetam work?
Brivaracetam works on the same SV2A protein as levetiracetam, the switch on the brain's neurotransmitter-storage sacs that helps control how excitable a nerve cell is. The difference is that brivaracetam binds SV2A about 15 to 30 times more tightly and more selectively, and it also enters the brain quickly.
This tighter, cleaner binding is thought to be why brivaracetam causes fewer of the mood and behavioral effects associated with levetiracetam, giving doctors an alternative for patients who benefit from the SV2A mechanism but struggle with irritability[2].
▸What are the side effects of Brivaracetam?
The most common side effects are sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Mood and behavioral changes can still occur but appear less frequently than with levetiracetam. Effects are usually mild and often ease over time.
Like all antiseizure medications, brivaracetam carries the class warning about a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts, and any new mood change should be reported[1]. Rarely, it can cause serious allergic reactions (trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, or throat) and serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, so get medical help right away for these and call your doctor at the first sign of a rash. The label also warns about psychiatric effects such as aggression or psychotic symptoms, and says not to stop it suddenly, since that can bring on more seizures.
▸How is Brivaracetam taken?
Taken by mouth twice daily as a tablet or liquid, with an intravenous form for hospital use. It needs essentially no dose ramp-up, so patients can start at an effective dose. Brivaracetam is a Schedule V controlled substance in the U.S.[1].
▸Is Brivaracetam FDA approved?
Yes, Brivaracetam (Briviact) is FDA approved (2016) for the treatment of Focal Epilepsy.
▸What is brivaracetam (Briviact) used for?
The FDA approved brivaracetam (Briviact) in February 2016 as an add-on treatment for focal (partial-onset) seizures in patients 16 and older, based on placebo-controlled trials showing significant seizure reduction. It was later approved as monotherapy and for younger children, and it can be used as a direct switch for patients already on levetiracetam. Generic brivaracetam tablets, oral solution and injection were approved by the FDA starting in February 2026. [1]
▸What is the difference between brivaracetam and levetiracetam?
Brivaracetam works on the same SV2A protein as levetiracetam, but it binds SV2A about 15 to 30 times more tightly and more selectively and enters the brain quickly. This tighter, cleaner binding is thought to be why brivaracetam causes fewer of the mood and irritability side effects that lead some patients to stop levetiracetam. Both were developed by UCB, and brivaracetam is positioned as the tolerability-focused option within the SV2A drug class. [2]
▸What are the side effects of brivaracetam?
The most common side effects of brivaracetam are sleepiness, dizziness, fatigue and nausea, which are usually mild and often ease over time. Mood and behavioral changes can still occur but appear less frequently than with levetiracetam, and the label warns about psychiatric effects such as aggression or psychotic symptoms. Like all antiseizure medications, it carries a class warning about a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts, and rarely it can cause serious allergic reactions or serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, so call your doctor at the first sign of a rash. It should not be stopped suddenly, since that can bring on more seizures. [1]
▸How is brivaracetam taken?
Brivaracetam is taken by mouth twice daily as a tablet or liquid, with an intravenous form for hospital use. It needs essentially no dose ramp-up, so patients can start at an effective dose. Brivaracetam is a Schedule V controlled substance in the U.S. [1]
Sources and references
Every factual claim on this page is drawn from the public sources listed below. Click any reference to open the original document.
- UCB (PR Newswire). U.S. FDA approves UCB's new epilepsy treatment, BRIVIACT, for patients with partial-onset seizures. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-approves-ucbs-new-epilepsy-treatment-briviact-for-patients-with-partial-onset-seizures-300223056.html
- PMC / P&T. Brivaracetam (Briviact): A Novel Adjunctive Therapy for Partial-Onset Seizures. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5265234/