Abstract | PURPOSE: To assess the efficiency of brivaracetam under real-world conditions in a tertiary referral epilepsy center. METHODS: We consecutively collected patients treated at our center with brivaracetam (BRV). After a minimum observation period of six months we retrospectively analyzed the efficiency of BRV. RESULTS: Data of 101 patients (mean age 42 years, range 18-81 years, 54 females,) were analyzed. The median number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used prior to BRV was 10 (range 2-18). The initial dose of BRV was at least 50mg per day, the mean maintenance dose at cut-off was 168.6mg (median 200mg, range 50-400mg). Efficacy data were assessed for the last three months or at the time of the last observation carried forward if BRV had been discontinued prematurely. Responder rate was 27.8% (n=28) with 7% seizure-free patients. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 37 patients (37%). Most frequent AEs were dizziness (16%) and somnolence (11%). Psychiatric adverse events comprised irritability, aggression, depression and psychosis in single cases. Retention rate after six months was 51.5%. Main reason for discontinuation was a lack of efficacy. In 43 cases LEV and BRV were switched. The switch was performed abruptly without complications. In 26 cases (60%) BRV was discontinued and re-switched to LEV within weeks, mainly due to a lack of better efficacy. After the switch from LEV to BRV we even saw an aggravation both of seizure frequency and severity in 5 cases. Retention rate in patients who had not been on LEV was 57%. CONCLUSION: In our hands BRV appeared to be well tolerated and easy to handle. The retention rate was influenced by patients who were switched from LEV and re-switched because BRV was not more efficient. Switching from and re-switching to LEV was easy.
|
Authors | Bernhard J Steinhoff, Matthias Bacher, Iancu Bucurenciu, Barbara Hillenbrand, Tassanai Intravooth, Reinhold Kornmeier, Christoph Kurth, Jakob Stockinger, Anke M Staack |
Journal | Seizure
(Seizure)
Vol. 48
Pg. 11-14
(May 2017)
ISSN: 1532-2688 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 28364655
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
Copyright | Copyright © 2017 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Anticonvulsants
- Pyrrolidinones
- Levetiracetam
- brivaracetam
- Piracetam
|
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anticonvulsants
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Substitution
- Epilepsy
(drug therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Levetiracetam
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Piracetam
(analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Pyrrolidinones
(therapeutic use)
- Treatment Failure
- Treatment Outcome
- Young Adult
|