Brivaracetam: new compound approved for the treatment of epilepsy.

• Autores: G Zaccara
• Localización: Medicamentos de actualidad = Drugs of today, ISSN 1699-3993, Vol. 52, Nº. 4, 2016, págs. 219-228
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Brivaracetam was approved in the E.U. and U.S. at the beginning of 2016 for the adjunctive treatment of focal epilepsies in patients over 16 years of age. This compound is a novel high-affinity synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) ligand, with a selectivity for this protein that is 10- to 30-fold higher than that shown by levetiracetam. Preclinical studies show that brivaracetam might have a stronger anticonvulsant effect and distributes in the brain more quickly, when compared to levetiracetam. The agent has linear and simple pharmacokinetics and a low interaction potential. Six double-blind placebo-controlled studies have assessed doses from 5 to 200 mg/day. Significant efficacy has been observed from doses of 50 mg/day, but there was not a clear dose-effect relationship. Short-term tolerability was excellent with all doses. Adverse events significantly associated with brivaracetam were dizziness, somnolence, fatigue and irritability. An excellent tolerability profile has been found after administration of a formulation for intravenous use.