Drug interactions
Brivaracetam + Phenytoin
Severity: Moderate
Brivaracetam and Phenytoin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Phenytoin modestly lowers brivaracetam levels, while brivaracetam can raise phenytoin concentrations. Because phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic range, the increase can matter clinically.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brivaracetam and Phenytoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Brivaracetam belongs to Central Nervous System; Phenytoin belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Phenytoin induces enzymes that clear brivaracetam, and brivaracetam inhibits epoxide hydrolase, reducing phenytoin metabolism.
What to do
Check phenytoin levels when brivaracetam is started or stopped and adjust phenytoin dose. Titrate brivaracetam to clinical response.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Phenytoin
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Bictegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Phenytoin Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Phenytoin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Brivaracetam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brivaracetam with Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Brivaracetam and Phenytoin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Phenytoin modestly lowers brivaracetam levels, while brivaracetam can raise phenytoin concentrations. Because phenytoin has a narrow therapeutic range, the increase can matter clinically.
How serious is the interaction between Brivaracetam and Phenytoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check phenytoin levels when brivaracetam is started or stopped and adjust phenytoin dose. Titrate brivaracetam to clinical response.
What other medicines interact with Phenytoin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenytoin with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Bictegravir, Cabotegravir. The full list is on the Phenytoin page.
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