Delphi Consensus: Brivaracetam as first add-on therapy for focal epilepsy

Picking the best of the best! Brivaracetam, a third-generation anti-seizure medication, has emerged as a potential early add-on therapy for elderly populations.

Selecting the most effective medications for patients is critical, particularly when standard therapies fail to provide adequate seizure control. A recent Delphi consensus exercise, published in the Neurological Sciences journal was executed to outline the role of brivaracetam in providing essential guidance for clinicians in daily practice. Through a rigorous review of the literature and collaborative voting, the panel crafted 15 consensus statements, all unanimously endorsed in the initial round of voting.

Brivaracetam was known to have encouraging attributes, making it a viable choice for individuals with focal epilepsy, including the elderly and those with post-stroke epilepsy or status epilepticus. Notable characteristics include rapid action, minimal drug interactions, broad-spectrum efficacy, and good tolerability across various dosage ranges. Importantly, the medication has shown sustained clinical response and long-term tolerability, further solidifying its position as a valuable addition to the epilepsy treatment arsenal.