Brivaracetam and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 15, 2023

Brivaracetam for Epilepsy "I have been on Briviact since May 2022, started at 100 mg morning and night, then upped to 150 mg morning and night in September 2022. This medication has caused so many side effects: irritability, agitation, anger, drowsiness, brain fog, memory issues-the works. I thought the side effects would go away after my body adjusted, but it seems to have only gotten worse. I just tapered back down to 100 mg 2X a day in hopes the side effects go away. But it is causing even more problems, it is making me dizzy and nauseated. I doubt I'm going to continue on with this med. It did work pretty well at taming my tonic-clonics, but the side effects are so bad that I can barely function. It just isn't worth it."

• Ned...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2021

Brivaracetam for Epilepsy "I have been on Briviact for nearly 3 and a half years, alongside Vimpat. These two together so far have worked well for me in relation to side effects and seizure control. I continue to have seizures, but my mood is much better, I’m less angry, emotional, and aggressive. However, since starting Briviact, I suffered from a severe rash on my legs, feet, hands, and arm. It toned down once my body started to adjust to the medication change. I am currently having my dosage increased, and the rash once again has flared up. The neurologist had discussed with me potentially changing from tablet form to liquid form, as I may be allergic to the coating of the medication. I also have very blurry vision, memory loss, sometimes confusion, and other side effects, but overall, it has been the best one so far as I have tried approximately 10 different types of epilepsy medication that either have changed my personality or given me serious side effects."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2019

For Epilepsy "I started taking Briviact in 2017. I was so fatigued it took 3 hours before I could get out of bed after a dose. I had memory loss, dizziness, dark thoughts, and depression. It was hard work, but side effects calmed after a long 6 months. I was over the moon, I was seizure-free for 2.5 years, then, unfortunately, I had one this May and another in August. This is almost the same frequency as without meds for me. So at the moment, coming off it is being discussed. It doesn't matter how many seizures you have, they still rule your life! I am pushing for a VNS, though I feel how many I have, and NHS funding is being held against me."

• Foc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2024

Brivaracetam for Epilepsy "Unmedicated, my late-onset seizures were evolving into impaired awareness focal seizures occurring in clusters of several daily. My seizures before medication were impacting my ability to function. Started on Keppra originally, but had to stop due to mental health side effects (severe depression and paranoia). Started Brivaracetam at 50 mg twice daily, and over 2 years went up to 150 mg twice daily. Reduced seizure frequency to one seizure every month on average. When seizures do occur, they feel like a whisper of what they were. I am able to easily function through my seizures. Side effects I have experienced include ongoing fatigue, vision changes, loss of general motivation, memory issues. However, side effects seem manageable given the alternative."