Can Brivaracetam Be Taken In Place Of Keppra?

Posted on Sat, 25 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 Answered on

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : for a epilepsy doctor my wife had a hemmoraghic stroke in dec 2015 she has expressive aphasia,right hemiparesis and epilepsy. she is treated with keppra and vimpat 1500/250am and 1000/250 pm and prozac 40 mg for mood. she has alot of side effects from the keppra she has gained 10 lbs but only eats 1 full meal a day and is extremely irritable tired and dizzy on keppra. she was on trileptal and vimpat then they switched her from trileptal to keppra for breakthrough seizures but she still has seizures like 1-2 month. our question can we wean off keppra and start briviact which had been recommended . my wife does not want to be on keppra anymore . thx

Answered by Dr. Neeraj Kumar (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can change the drug

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern.

You can try Brivaracetam as it has less behavioral side effects.
You can also try Valproate if not used earlier.

Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further information.

Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee