Do you or someone you know have a "fit" or, in medical terms, epilepsy? When someone suddenly loses consciousness, convulsions, and has a severe seizure, it is difficult to put into words the fear and anxiety that family and friends feel. There are various medications to control this condition. Today, we are talking about an injection that is given, especially in a hospital or clinic, to help control the fit. That is Brivaracetam.
What kind of drug is Brivaracetam?
Simply put, Brivaracetam is a drug that is used to treat and prevent seizures in people with epilepsy. All messages are transmitted through the nervous system in our brain and body. What happens to someone with epilepsy is that some of the nerves in this nervous system become overstimulated and fire too quickly. Think of it like a short circuit.
Brivaracetam injection works by calming those overactive nerves. This reduces the likelihood of seizures. This drug is also known by the brand name BRIVIACT. Although it is also available as a pill, the injection we are talking about today is given by medical staff in a hospital or clinic.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before giving you this medicine, it is very important that your doctor is aware of your complete health history. Because that information will determine whether this medicine is suitable for you, and how it should be given. Therefore, be sure to provide the following information.
- Liver disease: If you have any liver-related conditions (e.g. cirrhosis), it is important to mention this. This is because many medications that enter our bodies are broken down and processed by the liver. If the liver is weak, it can affect the effectiveness of the medication.
- Mental health issues: This is a very important point. If you or someone close to you has a history of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts, be sure to tell your doctor. This medication can affect the mood of some people.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to this Brivaracetam medication, other medications of the same type, any other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should definitely talk to your doctor about using this medicine.
How to use this medicine and what to be careful about
This medicine is not something you can take home. It is an injection into a vein. It is only given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or trained nurse.
- For young children: In some cases, this medicine can be prescribed even to babies as young as one month old. But it is done very carefully and under special medical supervision.
- Overdose: This is a hospital-based medication, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you think you have taken too much of this medication, inform the medical staff immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Getting treatment on time: It is very important to get this treatment on the scheduled days and at the scheduled times. If you are unable to come on the scheduled day, inform your doctor or the clinic in advance.
| Problematic material | Description |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Drinking alcohol while taking this medication may increase the side effects of the medication (especially dizziness and drowsiness). Therefore, avoid alcohol completely. |
| Other medications | Medicines such as Carbamazepine and Phenytoin, which are used to treat fits, and Rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis, may interact with this medicine. This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies, and traditional medicines you are taking . |
Things to pay attention to when taking the medicine
1. Driving and other activities that require alertness: This medicine may make you feel dizzy, drowsy, have poor balance, and affect your ability to make decisions . Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Also, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or bed to reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
2. Stopping the medicine suddenly:
The most important thing is to never stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can worsen the condition of the fit, cause persistent seizures, and cause a serious reaction. If you do stop taking the medication, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dosage.
3. Be aware of your mental health: Some people may experience changes in their mood when they first start taking this medication or after changing the dosage. Tell your doctor or family immediately if you have new or worsening symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, restlessness, hallucinations, increased sadness, or suicidal thoughts .
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects in some people. Some of them are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat (may cause difficulty breathing). |
| Changes in mentality and behavior | Severe anxiety, irritability, intrusive thoughts, hostile feelings, seeing/hearing things that are not there, suicidal thoughts, increased depression. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| General effects | Dizziness , drowsiness, fatigue, loss of balance, nausea, vomiting, and uncontrolled eye movements. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- Brivaracetam is an injection given into a vein in a hospital to control epilepsy (fits).
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any liver disease, mental health problems, allergies, and pregnancy you have.
- Do not stop taking this medication suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- If you experience any changes in your mood or behavior, especially suicidal thoughts, while taking this medication, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until you feel the effects of the medication.
- If you have any questions, concerns, or doubts about this medication, the best and most appropriate person to ask about it is your doctor.
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