New and Noteworthy Information—April 2016

The FDA has approved Briviact (brivaracetam) as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients age 16 and older with epilepsy. Briviact’s effectiveness was studied in three clinical trials including 1,550 participants. Briviact, taken along with other medications, effectively reduced seizure frequency. The most common side effects reported by people taking Briviact in clinical trials include drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Briviact will be available in film-coated tablets, oral solution, and injection. Briviact injection can be used when oral administration is temporarily not feasible. The recommended starting dosage is 50 mg twice daily. Based on individual patient tolerability and therapeutic response, the dose may be adjusted to 25 mg twice daily or 100 mg twice daily. UCB, headquartered in Brussels, manufactures the drug.

—Kimberly Williams