title: [Brivaracetam for add-on treatment in focal epilepsy].
abstract: Brivaracetam is the latest antiepileptic drug to be approved for adjunctive therapy in focal epilepsy and has a high affinity as a SV2A ligand. The aim of this review article is to summarize the data from the pivotal studies in which more than 2000 patients received brivaracetam. A significant median reduction in seizures from 30.5 % to 53.1 % for 50 mg/day, from 32.5 % to 37.2 % for 100 mg/day and 35.6 % for 200 mg/day could be demonstrated. Overall brivaracetam appears to be well-tolerated, with fatigue, dizziness and somnolence being the main adverse side effects. An immediate change from levetiracetam to brivaracetam at a conversion ratio of 10:1 to 15:1 seems feasible and could alleviate behavioral side effects related to treatment with levetiracetam. A swift permeability into brain tissue and a faster onset of action compared to levetiracetam suggest that brivaracetam could be useful in emergency situations.
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland. strzelczyk@med.uni-frankfurt.de.|Epilepsiezentrum Hessen, Klinik für Neurologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland. strzelczyk@med.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strzelczyk
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Steinig
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.|Epilepsiezentrum Hessen, Klinik für Neurologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Hessen, Klinik für Neurologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knake
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.|Epilepsiezentrum Hessen, Klinik für Neurologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosenow
authors.affiliation: Epilepsiezentrum Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Klinik für Neurologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland.|Epilepsiezentrum Hessen, Klinik für Neurologie, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; C482793:brivaracetam
keywords: Adverse effects; Antiepileptic drugs; Emergency treatment; Levetiracetam; Seizure