Drug interactions
Brivaracetam + Tetrabenazine
Severity: Moderate
Brivaracetam and Tetrabenazine: 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
Tetrabenazine commonly causes somnolence, depression and parkinsonism, and brivaracetam adds sedation. Combined use may worsen drowsiness and psychomotor slowing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Brivaracetam and Tetrabenazine 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; Tetrabenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects; tetrabenazine depletes monoamines via VMAT2 inhibition.
What to do
Monitor for excess sedation and mood changes, and lower the dose of either drug if drowsiness is troublesome.
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 Brivaracetam
Other interactions of Tetrabenazine
- Dronedarone + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Linezolid + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Tetrabenazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Brivaracetam with Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Brivaracetam and Tetrabenazine 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. Tetrabenazine commonly causes somnolence, depression and parkinsonism, and brivaracetam adds sedation. Combined use may worsen drowsiness and psychomotor slowing.
How serious is the interaction between Brivaracetam and Tetrabenazine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excess sedation and mood changes, and lower the dose of either drug if drowsiness is troublesome.
What other medicines interact with Brivaracetam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Brivaracetam with, for example, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen, Sodium oxybate, Acetaminophen / phenyltoloxamine. The full list is on the Brivaracetam page.
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