Brivaracetam May Be Safer Than Levetiracetam for Seizures

Source: Acta epileptologica

Summary

A study was conducted to compare two medications used to treat seizures: levetiracetam (LEV) and brivaracetam (BRV). The research involved 115 patients with epilepsy, aged 5 years and older, who were either newly diagnosed or had been diagnosed previously. The goal was to see how effective and safe these medications were, especially regarding their side effects, including any psychiatric issues.

The findings showed that patients taking LEV experienced more behavioral side effects, such as depression, compared to those on BRV. While LEV was slightly more effective in controlling seizures, BRV had fewer and less severe side effects, making it a better option for patients who had trouble with LEV. Additionally, patients who switched from LEV to BRV due to side effects reported improvements in their symptoms.

This study is important because it highlights the potential benefits of using BRV for patients who struggle with the side effects of LEV. However, it is worth noting that the study had limitations, such as a small number of participants and a focus on a specific population in India. More research is needed to confirm these findings in larger and more diverse groups of patients.

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