Brivaracetam

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

Tablets 10 mg: white to off white, round, film-coated, and debossed with "u10" on one side. 25 mg: grey, oval, film-coated, and debossed with "u25" on one side. 50 mg: yellow, oval, film-coated, and debossed with "u50" on one side. 75 mg: purple, oval, film-coated, and debossed with "u75" on one side. 100 mg: green-grey, oval, film-coated, and debossed with "u100" on one side. Oral Solution 10 mg/mL: slightly viscous, clear, colorless to yellowish, raspberry-flavored liquid. Injection 50 mg in 5 mL in one single-dose vial. It is a clear, colorless, sterile solution . Tablets: 10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg ( 3 ) Oral solution: 10 mg/mL ( 3 ) Injection: 50 mg/5 mL single-dose vial ( 3 )

Hypersensitivity to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients in BRIVIACT (bronchospasm and angioedema have occurred) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Hypersensitivity to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients in BRIVIACT. ( 4 )

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation : Monitor patients for suicidal behavior and ideation. ( 5.1 ) Neurological Adverse Reactions : Monitor for somnolence and fatigue, and advise patients not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on BRIVIACT. ( 5.2 ) Psychiatric Adverse Reactions : Behavioral reactions including psychotic symptoms, irritability, depression, aggressive behavior, and anxiety; monitor patients for symptoms. ( 5.3 ) Hypersensitivity: Bronchospasm and Angioedema : Advise patients to seek immediate medical care. Discontinue and do not restart BRIVIACT if hypersensitivity occurs. ( 5.4 ) Serious Dermatologic Reactions : Discontinue BRIVIACT unless an alternative etiology is established ( 5.5 ) Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs : BRIVIACT should be gradually withdrawn. ( 5.6 )

5.1 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including BRIVIACT, 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 Indication Placebo Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Drug Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Relative Risk: Incidence of Events in Drug Patients/Incidence in Placebo Patients Risk Difference: Additional Drug Patients with Events Per 1000 Patients Epilepsy 1.0 3.4 3.5

2.4 Psychiatric 5.7 8.5 1.5

2.9 Other 1.0 1.8 1.9

0.9 Total 2.4 4.3 1.8

1.9 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 BRIVIACT 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.

5.2 Neurological Adverse Reactions BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT to gauge whether it adversely affects their ability to drive or operate machinery. Somnolence and Fatigue BRIVIACT causes dose-dependent increases in somnolence and fatigue-related adverse reactions (fatigue, asthenia, malaise, hypersomnia, sedation, and lethargy) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, these events were reported in 25% of patients randomized to receive BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT causes adverse reactions related to dizziness and disturbance in gait and coordination (dizziness, vertigo, balance disorder, ataxia, nystagmus, gait disturbance, and abnormal coordination) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, these events were reported in 16% of patients randomized to receive BRIVIACT 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.

5.3 Psychiatric Adverse Reactions BRIVIACT causes psychiatric adverse reactions. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy trials, psychiatric adverse reactions were reported in approximately 13% of patients who received BRIVIACT (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 BRIVIACT 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 Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].

5.4 Hypersensitivity: Bronchospasm and Angioedema BRIVIACT can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Bronchospasm and angioedema have been reported in patients taking BRIVIACT. If a patient develops hypersensitivity reactions after treatment with BRIVIACT, the drug should be discontinued. BRIVIACT is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients [see Contraindications (4) ] .

5.5 Serious Dermatologic Reactions Serious dermatologic reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been reported in patients treated with BRIVIACT. Time to onset of the serious dermatologic reaction ranged from 3 to 45 days after BRIVIACT initiation in reported cases. BRIVIACT should be discontinued at the first sign of a rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug-related. If signs or symptoms suggest a serious dermatologic reaction, use of BRIVIACT should not be resumed and alternative therapy should be considered.

5.6 Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs As with most antiepileptic drugs, BRIVIACT should generally be withdrawn gradually because of the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Clinical Studies (14) ] . […]

The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in labeling: Suicidal Behavior and Ideation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Neurological Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Psychiatric Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hypersensitivity: Bronchospasm and Angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Serious Dermatologic Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Adults: Most common adverse reactions (at least 5% for BRIVIACT and at least 2% more frequently than placebo) are somnolence/sedation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting. ( 6.1 ) Pediatric Patients: Most common adverse reactions are similar to those seen in adult patients. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact UCB, Inc. at 1-844-599-2273 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

6.1 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, BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT 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 Clinical Studies (14) ] . 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 BRIVIACT and 62% treated with placebo. The most common adverse reactions occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in patients treated with BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT that occurred at least 2% more frequently for BRIVIACT 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 (BRIVIACT 50 mg/day, 100 mg/day, and 200 mg/day) Adverse Reactions BRIVIACT (N=803) % Placebo (N=459) % Gastrointestinal disorders Nausea/vomiting symptoms 5 3 Constipation 2 0 Nervous system disorders Somnolence and sedation 16 8 Dizziness 12 7 Fatigue 9 4 Cerebellar coordination and balance disturbances Cerebellar coordination and balance disturbances includes ataxia, balance disorder, coordination abnormal, and nystagmus. 3 1 Psychiatric disorders Irritability 3 1 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 BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT oral solution or tablet, of whom 123 received BRIVIACT 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 BRIVIACT can cause hematologic abnormalities. In the Phase 3 controlled adjunctive epilepsy studies, a total of 1.8% of BRIVIACT-treated patients and 1.1% of placebo-treated patients had at least one clinically significant decreased white blood cell count (<3.0 × 10 9 /L), and 0.3% of BRIVIACT-treated patients and 0% of placebo-treated patients had at least one clinically significant decreased neutrophil count (<1.0 × 10 9 /L). Adverse Reactions with BRIVIACT Injection Adverse reactions with BRIVIACT injection administered to adults and pediatric patients 2 months to 16 years of age were generally similar to those observed with BRIVIACT tablets. Other adverse events that occurred in at least 3% of adult patients who received BRIVIACT 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.

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of BRIVIACT. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Serious dermatologic reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]

Rifampin: Because of decreased concentrations, increasing BRIVIACT dosage in patients on concomitant rifampin is recommended. ( 2.6 , 7.1 ) Carbamazepine: Because of increased exposure to carbamazepine metabolite, if tolerability issues arise, consider reducing carbamazepine dosage in patients on concomitant BRIVIACT. ( 7.2 ) Phenytoin: Because phenytoin concentrations can increase, phenytoin levels should be monitored in patients on concomitant BRIVIACT. ( 7.3 ) Levetiracetam: BRIVIACT had no added therapeutic benefit when co-administered with levetiracetam. ( 7.4 )

7.1 Rifampin Co-administration with rifampin decreases BRIVIACT plasma concentrations likely because of CYP2C19 induction [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Prescribers should increase the BRIVIACT dose by up to 100% (i.e., double the dosage) in patients while receiving concomitant treatment with rifampin [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] .

7.2 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 Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.3 Phenytoin Because BRIVIACT can increase plasma concentrations of phenytoin, phenytoin levels should be monitored in patients when concomitant BRIVIACT is added to or discontinued from ongoing phenytoin therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.4 Levetiracetam BRIVIACT provided no added therapeutic benefit to levetiracetam when the two drugs were co-administered [see Clinical Studies (14) ].

Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. ( 8.1 )

8.1 Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), such as BRIVIACT, during pregnancy. Encourage patients who are taking BRIVIACT during pregnancy to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling the toll free number 1-888-233-2334 or visiting http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/. 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 BRIVIACT 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 14 C-brivaracetam. From 1 hour post dose, radioactivity levels in fetuses, amniotic fluid, and placenta were similar to those measured in maternal blood.

8.2 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 BRIVIACT and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from BRIVIACT or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of BRIVIACT have been established in pediatric patients 1 month to less than 16 years of age. Use of BRIVIACT in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of BRIVIACT 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 Dosage and Administration (2.1) , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , Adverse Reactions (6.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) , and Clinical Studies (14) ] . Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 1 month have not been established. 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.

8.5 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 BRIVIACT 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 Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

8.6 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 BRIVIACT is not recommended in this patient population [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

8.7 Hepatic Impairment Because of increases in BRIVIACT exposure, dosage adjustment is recommended for all stages of hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

The precise mechanism by which BRIVIACT 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.