Briviact annoying side effect!

[Adlon57]

I have been on 50 mg Briviact for JME epilepsy for three months, having had epilepsy for 48 years, over 400 seizures, nearly 62 years of age, in reality am now running out of medication alternatives, but have been very pleasantly surprised that my mixture of 400 vimpat and 50 Briviact seem to be really working for me, intelligence and memory improving even sleep really improving? BUT the tremendous tiredness in my legs [especially calf muscles] and arms are my only real set back, is this a recognised side effect of Briviact? A pity as have had no seizures since starting this briviact, but a real breakthrough for myself, and to get rid of these one side effects would really be a real icing on the cake? Hopefully Adlon57?

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi Adlon57

Thanks for posting. It’s great news that the new medicine combination is working well for you, but the tiredness in your legs and arms sounds unpleasant. The British National Formulary lists ‘malaise’ as a side-effect of Briviact, so I wonder if this could explain your symptoms? bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/brivar...

Malaise is a bit of a vague decription for a general feeling of discomfort, pain or tiredness. As Briviact is quite a new medicine, there’s not as much information about possible side-effects as some of the older medicines. So you may wish to report your side-effects via the Yellow Card scheme yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

It’s worth mentioning any possible side-effects to your neurologist, as they may be able to make changes to your treatment to help.

Grace

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

[Adlon57 in reply to EpilepsyAction1]

Thanks! I will get in touch with my epilepsy specialist, it is such a nice surprise that my medication is working so well, apart from this one nasty side effect. all the best!

[Hidden]

Why do they change the meds is it as they stop working

[Adlon57 in reply to Hidden]

Sometimes they stop the medication because I build up a resistance to them, and start having too many seizures again, or they just don't do their job in the first place. I find usually it is the side effects of the medication are worse than actually having seizures, for example; Parkinson disease type effects, suicidal attempts, incoherence, pure lack of sleep, severe reaction to my other medical conditions {I'm a "one off" as one of my specialists call me}, etc. It usually takes about three months for the "real" side effects to show themselves, sometimes I was aware of them but tried to ignore them as much as possible, luckily my epilepsy specialist was usually able to notice the severity of the side effects or the seizures [except once when he retired and a 'fill in' was not found for three years, new medication in that particular time proved almost 'curtains' for myself!]. I have been five months on this combination of Vimpat and Briviact, an increase in appetite, and sore muscles are the only side effects seemingly 'cross fingers' so far, no seizures at all!