Provecta is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older.

Dosage Information

Monotherapy or Adjunctive Therapy

The recommended dosage for patients 1 month of age and older is included in Table 1. In pediatric patients weighing less than 50 kg, the recommended dosing regimen is dependent upon body weight. When initiating treatment, gradual dose escalation is not required. Dosage should be adjusted based on clinical response and tolerability.

Table 1: Recommended Dosage for Patients 1 Month of Age and Older

Brivaracetam Injection Dosage

Brivaracetam injection may be used when oral administration is temporarily not feasible [see Dosage and Administration (2.3)]. Brivaracetam injection should be administered intravenously at the same dosage and same frequency as brivaracetam tablets and oral solution.

The clinical study experience with brivaracetam injection is up to 4 consecutive days of treatment.

Administration Instructions for Provecta Tablets

Brivaracetam can be initiated with either intravenous or oral administration.

Provecta tablets may be taken with or without food.

Provecta tablets should be swallowed whole with liquid. Provecta tablets should not be chewed or crushed.

Discontinuation of Provecta

Avoid abrupt withdrawal from Provecta in order to minimize the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use and 5.1.   Pharmacodynamic properties].

Patients with Hepatic Impairment

The recommended dosage for patients with hepatic impairment is included in Table 2 [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].  

Table 2: Recommended Dosage for Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Co-administration with Rifampin

Increase the Provecta dosage in patients on concomitant rifampin by up to 100% (i.e., double the dosage) [see 4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction and 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness of brivaracetam have been established in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 16 years of age. Use of brivaracetam in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of brivaracetam in adults with partial-onset seizures, pharmacokinetic data from adult and pediatric patients, and safety data in pediatric patients 2 months to less than 16 years of age [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration, 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use, 4.8. Undesirable effects and 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 1 month have not been established.

Geriatric Use

There were insufficient numbers of patients 65 years of age and older in the double-blind, placebo- controlled epilepsy trials (n=38) to allow adequate assessment of the effectiveness of brivaracetam in this population. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be judicious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Renal Impairment

 Dose adjustments are not required for patients with impaired renal function. There are no data in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis, and use of brivaracetam is not recommended in this patient population [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Provecta, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono-and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI:1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence rate of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in placebo-treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide.

The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as one week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed.

The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table 3 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs.

Table 3: Risk of Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors by Indication for Antiepileptic Drugs in the Pooled Analysis

The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials in patients with epilepsy than in clinical trials in patients with psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications.

Anyone considering prescribing Provecta or any other AED must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Should suicidal thoughts and behavior emerge during treatment, consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated.

Neurological Adverse Reactions

Provecta causes somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, and disturbance in coordination. Patients should be monitored for these signs and symptoms and advised not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on Provecta to gauge whether it adversely affects their ability to drive or operate machinery.

Somnolence and Fatigue

Brivaracetam causes dose-dependent increases in somnolence and fatigue-related adverse reactions (fatigue, asthenia, malaise, hypersomnia, sedation, and lethargy) [see 4.8. Undesirable effects)]. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, these events were reported in 25% of patients randomized to receive brivaracetam at least 50 mg/day (20% at 50 mg/day, 26% at 100 mg/day, and 27% at 200 mg/day) compared to 14% of patients who received placebo. The risk is greatest early in treatment but can occur at any time.

Dizziness and Disturbance in Gait and Coordination

Brivaracetam causes adverse reactions related to dizziness and disturbance in gait and coordination (dizziness, vertigo, balance disorder, ataxia, nystagmus, gait disturbance, and abnormal coordination) [see 4.8. Undesirable effects]. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, these events were reported in 16% of patients randomized to receive brivaracetam at least 50 mg/day compared to 10% of patients who received placebo. The risk is greatest early in treatment but can occur at any time.

Psychiatric Adverse Reactions

Brivaracetam causes psychiatric adverse reactions. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, psychiatric adverse reactions were reported in approximately 13% of patients who received brivaracetam (at least 50 mg/day) compared to 8% of patients who received placebo. Psychiatric events included both non-psychotic symptoms (irritability, anxiety, nervousness, aggression, belligerence, anger, agitation, restlessness, depression, depressed mood, tearfulness, apathy, altered mood, mood swings, affect lability, psychomotor hyperactivity, abnormal behavior, and adjustment disorder) and psychotic symptoms (psychotic disorder along with hallucination, paranoia, acute psychosis, and psychotic behavior). A total of 1.7% of adult patients treated with brivaracetam discontinued treatment because of psychiatric reactions compared to 1.3% of patients who received placebo.

Psychiatric adverse reactions were also observed in open-label pediatric trials and were generally similar to those observed in adults [see 4.8. Undesirable effects and 4.2. Posology and method of administration].

Hypersensitivity: Bronchospasm and Angioedema

Brivaracetam can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Bronchospasm and angioedema have been reported in patients taking brivaracetam. If a patient develops hypersensitivity reactions after treatment with brivaracetam, the drug should be discontinued. Brivaracetam is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients [see 4.3. Contraindications].

Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs

As with most antiepileptic drugs, brivaracetam should generally be withdrawn gradually because of the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration and 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties]. But if withdrawal is needed because of a serious adverse event, rapid discontinuation can be considered.

Drug abuse and dependence

Abuse

In a human abuse potential study, single doses of brivaracetam at therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses were compared to alprazolam (C-IV) (1.5 mg and 3 mg). Brivaracetam at the recommended single dose (50 mg) caused fewer sedative and euphoric effects than alprazolam; however, brivaracetam at supratherapeutic single doses (200 mg and 1000 mg) was similar to alprazolam on other measures of abuse.

Dependence

There was no evidence of physical dependence potential or a withdrawal syndrome with brivaracetam in a pooled review of placebo-controlled adjunctive therapy studies.

Provecta contains sodium and lactose

Provecta contains sodium. Each film-coated Tablet of Provecta 25 mg Film-coated Tablets contains 0.525 mg sodium. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially “sodium-free”.

Provecta contains lactose. Each film-coated Tablet of Provecta 25 mg Film-coated Tablets contains 94.25 mg lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Rifampin

Co-administration with rifampin decreases brivaracetam plasma concentrations likely because of CYP2C19 induction [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties]. Prescribers should increase the brivaracetam dose by up to 100% (i.e., double the dosage) in patients while receiving concomitant treatment with rifampin [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration].

Carbamazepine

Co-administration with carbamazepine may increase exposure to carbamazepine-epoxide, the active metabolite of carbamazepine. Though available data did not reveal any safety concerns, if tolerability issues arise when co-administered, carbamazepine dose reduction should be considered [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Phenytoin

Because brivaracetam can increase plasma concentrations of phenytoin, phenytoin levels should be monitored in patients when concomitant brivaracetam is added to or discontinued from ongoing phenytoin therapy [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Levetiracetam

Brivaracetam provided no added therapeutic benefit to levetiracetam when the two drugs were co- administered [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties].

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

Available data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) pregnancy registry, a prospective cohort study, case reports, and a case series are insufficient to identify a risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other maternal or fetal outcomes associated with brivaracetam use during pregnancy. In animal studies, brivaracetam produced evidence of developmental toxicity (increased embryofetal mortality and decreased fetal body weights in rabbits; decreased growth, delayed sexual maturation, and long-term neurobehavioral changes in rat offspring) at maternal plasma exposures greater than clinical exposures [see Data].

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Oral administration of brivaracetam (0, 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis did not produce any significant maternal or embryofetal toxicity. The highest dose tested was associated with maternal plasma exposures (AUC) approximately 30 times exposures in humans at the maximum recommended dose (MRD) of 200 mg/day.

Oral administration of brivaracetam (0, 30, 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryofetal mortality and decreased fetal body weights at the highest dose tested, which was also maternally toxic.

The highest no-effect dose (120 mg/kg/day) was associated with maternal plasma exposures approximately 4 times human exposures at the MRD.

When brivaracetam (0, 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation, decreased growth, delayed sexual maturation (female), and long-term neurobehavioral changes were observed in the offspring at the highest dose. The highest no-effect dose (300 mg/kg/day) was associated with maternal plasma exposures approximately 7 times human exposures at the MRD.

Brivaracetam was shown to readily cross the placenta in pregnant rats after a single oral (5 mg/kg) dose of 14C-brivaracetam.

From 1 hour post dose, radioactivity levels in fetuses, amniotic fluid, and placenta were similar to those measured in maternal blood.

Lactation

Risk Summary

Data from published literature indicate that brivaracetam is present in human milk. There is insufficient information on the effects of brivaracetam on the breastfed infant or on milk production.

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for brivaracetam and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from brivaracetam or from the underlying maternal condition.

Data

Animal Data

Following a single oral (5 mg/kg) dose of 14C-brivaracetam to lactating rats, radioactivity was secreted in milk and rapidly reached levels similar to those in plasma.

Provecta causes somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, and disturbance in coordination. Patients should be monitored for these signs and symptoms and advised not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on Provecta to gauge whether it adversely affects their ability to drive or operate machinery.

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling:

• Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use)]
• Neurological Adverse Reactions [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
• Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use Hypersensitivity: Bronchospasm and Angioedema [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
• Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs [see 4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In all controlled and uncontrolled trials performed in adult epilepsy patients, brivaracetam was administered as adjunctive therapy to 2437 patients. Of these patients, 1929 were treated for at least 6 months, 1500 for at least 12 months, 1056 for at least 24 months, and 758 for at least 36 months. A total of 1558 patients (1099 patients treated with brivaracetam and 459 patients treated with placebo) constituted the safety population in the pooled analysis of Phase 3 placebo-controlled studies in patients with partial-onset seizures (Studies 1, 2, and 3) [see 5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties)]. The adverse reactions presented in Table 4 are based on this safety population; the median length of treatment in these studies was 12 weeks. Of the patients in those studies, approximately 51% were male, 74% were Caucasian, and the mean age was 38 years.

In the Phase 3 controlled epilepsy studies, adverse events occurred in 68% of patients treated with brivaracetam and 62% treated with placebo. The most common adverse reactions occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in patients treated with brivaracetam doses of at least 50 mg/day and greater than placebo were somnolence and sedation (16%), dizziness (12%), fatigue (9%), and nausea and vomiting symptoms (5%).

The discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 5%, 8%, and 7% for patients randomized to receive brivaracetam at the recommended doses of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg/day, respectively, compared to 4% in patients randomized to receive placebo.

Table 4 lists adverse reactions for brivaracetam that occurred at least 2% more frequently for brivaracetam doses of at least 50 mg/day than placebo.

Table 4: Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Adjunctive Therapy Studies in Adult Patients with Partial-Onset Seizures (Brivaracetam 50 mg/day, 100 mg/day, and 200 mg/day)

*Cerebellar coordination and balance disturbances includes ataxia, balance disorder, coordination abnormal, and nystagmus.

There was no apparent dose-dependent increase in adverse reactions listed in Table 4 with the exception of somnolence and sedation.

Pediatric Patients

Safety of brivaracetam was evaluated in two open-label, safety and pharmacokinetic trials in pediatric patients 2 months to less than 16 years of age. Across studies of pediatric patients with partial onset seizures, 186 patients received brivaracetam oral solution or tablet, of whom 123 received brivaracetam for at least 12 months. Adverse reactions reported in clinical studies of pediatric patients were generally similar to those seen in adult patients. Decreased appetite was also observed in these pediatric trials.

Hematologic Abnormalities  

Brivaracetam can cause hematologic abnormalities. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy studies, a total of 1.8% of brivaracetam-treated patients and 1.1% of placebo-treated patients had at least one clinically significant decreased white blood cell count (<3.0 x 10⁹/L), and 0.3% of brivaracetam -treated patients and 0% of placebo-treated patients had at least one clinically significant decreased neutrophil count (<1.0 x 10⁹/L).

Adverse Reactions with brivaracetam Injection

Adverse reactions with brivaracetam injection administered to adults and pediatric patients 2 months to 16 years of age were generally similar to those observed with brivaracetam tablets. Other adverse events that occurred in at least 3% of adult patients who received brivaracetam injection included dysgeusia, euphoric mood, feeling drunk, and infusion site pain.

Comparison by Sex

There were no significant differences by sex in the incidence of adverse reactions.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via:

•    Saudi Arabia

The National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC)

SFDA Call Center: 19999

E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa

Website: https: //ade.sfda.gov.sa

•    Other GCC States

Please contact the relevant competent authority

There is limited clinical experience with brivaracetam overdose in humans. Somnolence and dizziness were reported in a patient taking a single dose of 1400 mg (14 times the highest recommended single dose) of brivaracetam. The following adverse reactions were reported with brivaracetam overdose: vertigo, balance disorder, fatigue, nausea, diplopia, anxiety, and bradycardia. In general, the adverse reactions associated with brivaracetam overdose were consistent with the known adverse reactions.

There is no specific antidote for overdose with brivaracetam. In the event of overdose, standard medical practice for the management of any overdose should be used. An adequate airway, oxygenation, and ventilation should be ensured; monitoring of cardiac rate and rhythm and vital signs is recommended. A certified poison control center should be contacted for updated information on the management of overdose with brivaracetam. There are no data on the removal of brivaracetam using hemodialysis, but because less than 10% of brivaracetam is excreted in urine, hemodialysis is not expected to enhance brivaracetam clearance.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Antiepileptics, Other antiepileptics, ATC code: N03AX23.

Mechanism of Action

The precise mechanism by which brivaracetam exerts its anticonvulsant activity is not known. Brivaracetam displays a high and selective affinity for synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain, which may contribute to the anticonvulsant effect.

Pharmacodynamics

Interactions with Alcohol

In a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction study in healthy subjects, co-administration of brivaracetam (single dose 200 mg [2 times greater than the highest recommended single dose]) and ethanol (continuous intravenous infusion to achieve a blood alcohol concentration of 60 mg/100 ml during 5 hours) increased the effects of alcohol on psychomotor function, attention, and memory. Co- administration of brivaracetam and ethanol caused a larger decrease from baseline in saccadic peak velocity, smooth pursuit, adaptive tracking performance, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) alertness, and a larger increase from baseline in body sway and in saccadic reaction time compared with brivaracetam alone or ethanol alone. The immediate word recall scores were generally lower for brivaracetam when co-administered with ethanol.

Cardiac Electrophysiology

At a dose 4 times the maximum recommended dose, brivaracetam did not prolong the QT interval to a clinically relevant extent.

Clinical studies

The effectiveness of brivaracetam in partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization was established in 3 fixed-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter studies (Studies 1, 2, and 3), which included 1550 patients. Patients enrolled had partial-onset seizures that were not adequately controlled with 1 to 2 concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In each of these studies, 72% to 86% of patients were taking 2 or more concomitant AEDs with or without vagal nerve stimulation. The median baseline seizure frequency across the 3 studies was 9 seizures per 28 days. Patients had a mean duration of epilepsy of approximately 23 years.

All trials had an 8-week baseline period, during which patients were required to have at least 8 partial- onset seizures. The baseline period was followed by a 12-week treatment period. There was no titration period in these studies. Study 1 compared doses of brivaracetam 50 mg/day and 100 mg/day with placebo. Study 2 compared a dose of brivaracetam 50 mg/day with placebo. Study 3 compared doses of brivaracetam 100 mg/day and 200 mg/day with placebo. brivaracetam was administered in equally divided twice daily doses. Upon termination of brivaracetam treatment, patients were down-titrated over a 1-, 2-, and 4-week duration for patients receiving 25, 50, and 100 mg twice daily brivaracetam, respectively.

The primary efficacy outcome in Study 1 and Study 2 was the percent reduction in 7-day partial-onset seizure frequency over placebo, while the primary outcome for Study 3 was the percent reduction in 28- day partial-onset seizure frequency over placebo. The criteria for statistical significance for all 3 studies was p<0.05. Table 6 presents the primary efficacy outcome of the percent change in seizure frequency over placebo, based upon each study’s protocol-defined 7-and 28-day seizure frequency efficacy outcome.

Table 6: Percent Reduction in Partial-Onset Seizure Frequency over Placebo (Studies 1, 2, and 3)

* Statistically significant based on testing procedure with alpha = 0.05

a Based upon 7-day seizure frequency

b Based upon 28-day seizure frequency

Figure 1 presents the percentage of patients by category of reduction from baseline in partial-onset seizure frequency per 28 days for all pooled patients in the 3 pivotal studies. Patients in whom the seizure frequency increased are shown at left as “worse.” Patients with an improvement in percent reduction from baseline partial-onset seizure frequency are shown in the 4 right-most categories.

Figure 1: Proportion of Patients by Category of Seizure Response for Brivaracetam and Placebo Across all Three Double-Blind Trials

Treatment with Levetiracetam

In Studies 1 and 2, which evaluated brivaracetam dosages of 50 mg and 100 mg daily, approximately 20% of the patients were on concomitant levetiracetam. Although the numbers of patients were limited, brivaracetam provided no added benefit when it was added to levetiracetam.

Although patients on concomitant levetiracetam were excluded from Study 3, which evaluated 100 and 200 mg daily, approximately 54% of patients in this study had prior exposure to levetiracetam.

Brivaracetam tablets, oral solution, and injection can be used interchangeably. Brivaracetam exhibits linear and time-independent pharmacokinetics at the approved doses.

The pharmacokinetics of brivaracetam are similar when used as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial-onset seizures.

Absorption

Brivaracetam is highly permeable and is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration. Pharmacokinetics is dose-proportional from 10 to 600 mg (a range that extends beyond the minimum and maximum single-administration dose levels described in Dosage and Administration [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration]). The median T_max for tablets taken without food is 1 hour (range 0.25 to 3 hours). Co-administration with a high-fat meal slowed absorption, but the extent of absorption remained unchanged. Specifically, when a 50 mg tablet was administered with a high-fat meal, C_max (maximum brivaracetam plasma concentration during a dose interval, an exposure metric) was decreased by 37% and T_max was delayed by 3 hours, but AUC (area under the brivaracetam plasma concentration versus time curve, an exposure metric) was essentially unchanged (decreased by 5%).

Distribution

Brivaracetam is weakly bound to plasma proteins (≤20%). The volume of distribution is 0.5 L/kg, a value close to that of the total body water. Brivaracetam is rapidly and evenly distributed in most tissues.

Elimination

Metabolism

Brivaracetam is primarily metabolized by hydrolysis of the amide moiety to form the corresponding carboxylic acid metabolite, and secondarily by hydroxylation on the propyl side chain to form the hydroxy metabolite. The hydrolysis reaction is mediated by hepatic and extra-hepatic amidase. The hydroxylation pathway is mediated primarily by CYP2C19. In human subjects possessing genetic variations in CYP2C19, production of the hydroxy metabolite is decreased 2-fold or 10-fold, while the blood level of brivaracetam itself is increased by 22% or 42%, respectively, in individuals with one or both mutated alleles. CYP2C19 poor metabolizers and patients using inhibitors of CYP2C19 may require dose reduction. An additional hydroxy acid metabolite is created by hydrolysis of the amide moiety on the hydroxy metabolite or hydroxylation of the propyl side chain on the carboxylic acid metabolite (mainly by CYP2C9). None of the 3 metabolites are pharmacologically active.

Excretion

Brivaracetam is eliminated primarily by metabolism and by excretion in the urine. More than 95% of the dose, including metabolites, is excreted in the urine within 72 hours after intake. Fecal excretion accounts for less than 1% of the dose. Less than 10% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Thirty-four percent of the dose is excreted as the carboxylic acid metabolite in urine. The terminal plasma half-life (t_1/2) is approximately 9 hours.

Specific Populations

Age

Pediatric Patients (2 months to less than 16 years): An open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pharmacokinetic study with a 3week evaluation period and fixed 3-step up-titration using brivaracetam oral solution was conducted in 99 pediatric patients 2 months to less than 16 years of age. In those patients, plasma concentrations were shown to be dose-proportional. The pediatric pharmacokinetic profile for brivaracetam was determined in a population pharmacokinetic analysis using sparse plasma concentration data obtained in three open-label studies in 255 adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy 2 months to 22 years of age that received intravenous, oral solution, or oral tablet formulations.

A weight-based dosing regimen is necessary to achieve brivaracetam exposures in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 16 years of age that are similar to those observed in adults treated at effective doses of brivaracetam [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration]. The estimated plasma clearance was 1.09 L/h, 1.81 L/h, and 3.11 L/h for pediatric patients weighing 11 kg, 20 kg, and 50 kg, respectively. In comparison, plasma clearance was estimated at 3.58 L/h in adult patients (70 kg body weight).

Geriatric Population: In a study in elderly subjects (65 to 79 years old; creatinine clearance 53 to 98 ml/min/1.73 m²) receiving brivaracetam 200 mg twice daily (2 times the highest recommended dosage), the plasma half-life of brivaracetam was 7.9 hours and 9.3 hours in the 65 to 75 and >75 years groups, respectively. The steady-state plasma clearance of brivaracetam was slightly lower (0.76 ml/min/kg) than in young healthy controls (0.83 ml/min/kg).

Sex

There were no differences observed in the pharmacokinetics of brivaracetam between male and female subjects.

Race/Ethnicity

A population pharmacokinetic analysis comparing Caucasian and non-Caucasian patients showed no significant pharmacokinetic difference.

Renal Impairment

A study in adult subjects with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min/1.73m² and not requiring dialysis) revealed that the plasma AUC of brivaracetam was moderately increased (21%) relative to healthy controls, while the AUCs of the acid, hydroxy, and hydroxyacid metabolites were increased 3- fold, 4-fold, and 21-fold, respectively. The renal clearance of these inactive metabolites was decreased 10-fold. Brivaracetam has not been studied in patients undergoing hemodialysis [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration].

Hepatic Impairment

A pharmacokinetic study in adult subjects with hepatic cirrhosis, Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C, showed 50%, 57%, and 59% increases in brivaracetam exposure, respectively, compared to matched healthy controls. The effect of hepatic impairment on brivaracetam pharmacokinetics in pediatric patients is expected to be comparable to the effect observed in adults [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration].

Drug Interaction Studies

In Vitro Assessment of Drug Interactions

Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Inhibition

Brivaracetam did not inhibit CYP1A2, 2A6, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2D6, or 3A4. Brivaracetam weakly inhibited CYP2C19 and would not be expected to cause significant inhibition of CYP2C19 in humans. Brivaracetam was an inhibitor of epoxide hydrolase, (IC50 = 8.2 μM), suggesting that brivaracetam can inhibit the enzyme in vivo.

Drug-Metabolizing Enzyme Induction

Brivaracetam at concentrations up to 10 μM caused little or no change of mRNA expression of CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 3A4, and epoxide hydrolase. It is unlikely that brivaracetam will induce these enzymes in vivo.

Transporters

Brivaracetam was not a substrate of P-gp, MRP1, or MRP2. Brivaracetam did not inhibit or weakly inhibit BCRP, BSEP, MATE1, MATE2/K, MRP2, OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, or P-gp, suggesting that brivaracetam is unlikely to inhibit these transporters in vivo.

In Vivo Assessment of Drug Interactions

Drug Interaction Studies with Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)

Potential interactions between brivaracetam (25 mg twice daily to 100 mg twice daily) and other AEDs were investigated in a pooled analysis of plasma drug concentrations from all Phase 2 and 3 studies and in a population exposure-response analysis of placebo-controlled, Phase 3 studies in adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial-onset seizures. None of the interactions require changes in the dose of brivaracetam. Interactions with carbamazepine and phenytoin can be clinically important [see 4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction]. The interactions are summarized in Table 5.

Table 5: Drug Interactions Between Brivaracetam and Concomitant Antiepileptic

*Brivaracetam is a re versible inhibitor of epoxide hydrolase resulting in an increased concentration of carbamazepine e poxide, an active metabolite of carbamazepine.  The carbamazepine epoxide plasma concentration increased up to 198% at a brivaracetam dose of 100 mg twice daily.

**At a supratherapeutic dose of 400 mg/day brivaracetam, there was a 20% increase in phe nytoin plasma concentration.

Drug Interaction Studies with Other Drugs

Effect of Other Drugs on Brivaracetam

Co-administration with CYP inhibitors or transporter inhibitors is unlikely to significantly affect brivaracetam exposure.

Co-administration with rifampin decreases brivaracetam plasma concentrations by 45%, an effect that is probably the result of CYP2C19 induction [see 4.2. Posology and method of administration and 4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction]

Oral Contraceptives

Co-administration of brivaracetam 200 mg twice daily (twice the recommended maximum daily dosage) with an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol (0.03 mg) and levonorgestrel (0.15 mg) reduced estrogen and progestin AUCs by 27% and 23%, respectively, without impact on suppression of ovulation. However, co-administration of brivaracetam 50 mg twice daily with an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol (0.03 mg) and levonorgestrel (0.15 mg) did not significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of either substance. The interaction is not expected to be of clinical significance.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Carcinogenesis

In a carcinogenicity study in mice, oral administration of brivaracetam (0, 400, 550, or 700 mg/kg/day) for 104 weeks increased the incidence of liver tumors (hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma) in male mice at the two highest doses tested. At the dose (400 mg/kg) not associated with an increase in liver tumors, plasma exposures (AUC) were approximately equal to those in humans at the maximum recommended dose (MRD) of 200 mg/day. Oral administration (0, 150, 230, 450, or 700 mg/kg/day) to rats for 104 weeks resulted in an increased incidence of thymus tumors (benign thymoma) in female rats at the highest dose tested. At the highest dose not associated with an increase in thymus tumors, plasma exposures were approximately 9 times those in humans at the MRD. 

Mutagenesis

Brivaracetam was negative for genotoxicity in in vitro (Ames, mouse lymphoma, and CHO chromosomal aberration) and in vivo (rat bone marrow micronucleus) assays.

Impairment of Fertility

Oral administration of brivaracetam (0, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day) to male and female rats prior to and throughout mating and early gestation produced no adverse effects on fertility. The highest dose tested was associated with plasma exposures approximately 6 (males) and 13 (females) times those in humans at the MRD.

Juvenile Animal Toxicity Data

The potential adverse effects of brivaracetam on postnatal growth and development were investigated in juvenile rats and dogs. Oral administration (0, 150, 300, or 600 mg/kg/day) to rats during the neonatal and juvenile periods of development (approximately equivalent to neonatal through adolescent development in humans) resulted in increased mortality, decreased body weight gain, delayed male sexual maturation, and adverse neurobehavioral effects at the highest dose tested and decreased brain size and weight at all doses. Therefore, a no-effect dose was not established; the lowest dose tested in juvenile rats was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) approximately 2 times those in children and adolescents at the recommended maintenance dose. In dogs, oral administration (0, 15, 30, or 100 mg/kg/day) throughout the neonatal and juvenile periods of development induced liver changes similar to those observed in adult animals at the highest dose but produced no adverse effects on growth, bone density or strength, neurological testing, or neuropathology evaluation. The overall no-effect dose (30 mg/kg/day) and the no-effect dose for adverse effects on developmental parameters (100 mg/kg/day) were associated with plasma exposures approximately equal to and 4 times, respectively, those in children and adolescents at the recommended maintenance dose.

-     Beta cyclodextrin

-     Croscarmellose sodium

-     Lactose

-     Magnesium stearate

-     Opadry white.

Not applicable.

Store below 30°C.

Store in the original package.

Clear PVC/Aclar-aluminum lidding foil blisters.

Pack size: 60 Film-coated tablets.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.