Briviact (brivaracetam) and Keppra (levetiracetam) are antiepileptic (antiseizure) drugs used for treating seizures in people with epilepsy. This article will compare Keppra versus Briviact and review their similarities and differences. 

Mechanism of action of Keppra and Briviact

Seizures and epilepsy are often used interchangeably but mean two different things. A seizure is a single episode and epilepsy is characterized by unpredictable and unprovoked seizures and can cause other health problems. The difference between the types of seizures is how and where they begin in the brain.

Seizures are typically described in two broad groups: primary generalized seizures and partial seizures. Primary generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from both sides of the brain at once. This group can be broken down further depending on the person’s symptoms. Partial seizures are produced by electrical impulses in a limited area of the brain. Partial seizures can be further broken down to whether or not the person loses consciousness or awareness.

Treatment of seizures often includes antiepileptic drugs. Antiepileptic drugs are used as a preventative measure (prophylaxis) to prevent seizures from happening. They do not cure epilepsy or stop seizures that are currently happening.

How antiepileptic drugs work is not completely understood. Seizures are typically caused by excessive electrical activity (or excitability) of the neurons. Antiepileptic drugs prevent seizures by altering or reducing the excitability of the neurons.

Keppra and Briviact have a similar chemical structure and mechanism of action. Their antiepileptic effect may be due to their effect on synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain. Synaptic vesicles (or neurotransmitter vesicles) are the parts of the neuron that store neurotransmitters that are released at the junction where neurons meet (synapse). Synaptic vesicle protein 2A may affect how neurons communicate, and therefore seizure activity, by affecting the release and storage of neurotransmitters by synaptic vesicles.

Although Briviact and Keppra are similar, Briviact is more potent than Keppra because it has less effect on other receptors and it has a stronger attachment to the synaptic vesicle protein 2A receptor.

Also Read: Side Effects Of Keppra (levetiracetam)

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