Compare Briviact vs. Tegretol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Briviact (brivaracetam)

Prescription only

Tegretol (carbamazepine)

Prescription only
Prevents seizures.

Briviact (brivaracetam) is good at lowering the number of seizures, but it can be very expensive. You have to take it along with other anti-seizure medicines.

Treats seizures and epilepsy.

Tegretol (carbamazepine) is useful for preventing seizures and relieving certain types of nerve pain, but reduces how well many other medications work.

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3.3/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforTegretol
Upsides
  • Briviact (brivaracetam) can help provide seizure relief if you’re already taking 1 or 2 other anti-seizure medicines and still having seizures.
  • Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with tonic-clonic and partial seizures.
  • First-choice option for trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain involving the face, head, and neck), and can relieve other types of nerve pain.
  • Equetro is helpful in stabilizing mood for people with bipolar disorder.
  • Available as a generic in many forms: pill, extended-release pill, suspension, and chewable tablet.
Downsides
  • Not available as generic, so it will be expensive.
  • Must take Briviact (brivaracetam) two times a day.
  • Similar to other antiepileptic medicines, taking Briviact (brivaracetam) increases risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior.
  • There’s no added benefit from Briviact (brivaracetam) if you’re already on an anti-seizure medicine called Keppra (levetiracetam).
  • Takes several weeks to feel the full effects.
  • Interacts with many other medicines and supplements.
  • Higher risk of skin reactions compared to other antiepileptic medicines, ranging from mild to life-threatening rash.
  • Requires routine blood tests to see how the medicine is affecting your body.
  • Can't take the suspension form with other liquid medications.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Pill
  • Extended-release pill
  • Suspension
  • Chewable tablet
Price
Lowest price
$1392.04
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Lowest price
$16.51
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
61 reviews so far
56%
saidit'sworth it
43%
saiditworked well
23%
saidit'sa big hassle

Have you used Tegretol (carbamazepine)?

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Side effects
7possible side effects
  • Feeling sleepy and falling asleep
    16%
  • Dizziness
    12%
  • Fatigue
    9%
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
    5%
  • Balance problems
    3%
  • Irritability
    3%
  • Constipation
    2%
See more detailed side effects
The Tegretol (carbamazepine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
    • History of mood problems
    • Currently untreated mood problems
  • Changes in alertness and coordination
  • Mood changes
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Withdrawal seizures
    • Suddenly stopping Briviact (brivaracetam)
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Life-threatening skin reactions
    • Carrying HLA-B*1502 gene
    • Asian ancestry
  • Blood disorders
  • Suicidal thoughts or behavior
    • History of depression
  • Serious allergic reactions
    • History of allergic reaction to Trileptal (oxcarbamazepine)
  • Pregnancy
  • Mental changes due to low sodium
    • Age 65 or older
    • Dehydration
    • Taking diuretics (water pills)
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Briviact (brivaracetam)
Learn more about Tegretol (carbamazepine)