Cost Is the Biggest Barrier to Briviact Adherence — Here's How to Help

Briviact (Brivaracetam) is an effective antiepileptic drug with a strong evidence base for partial-onset seizures. But at $1,450 to $1,550 per month out-of-pocket, cost remains one of the most significant barriers to patient adherence. When patients can't afford their medication, they skip doses, stretch supplies, or abandon treatment altogether — all of which increase seizure risk.

As a provider, you're in a unique position to connect patients with savings programs and cost-reduction strategies before non-adherence becomes a clinical problem. This guide covers the tools available to you and your team.

What Your Patients Are Actually Paying

Understanding the cost landscape helps you anticipate which patients will need financial support:

• Cash price (brand Briviact): $1,450–$1,550/month for a 30-day supply of tablets
• Commercial insurance: Most plans cover Briviact but often place it on a specialty or non-preferred tier. Copays can range from $50 to $300+ per month depending on plan design.
• Prior authorization: Nearly universal. Most payers require documentation of Levetiracetam trial and failure (or intolerance) before approving Briviact.
• Step therapy: Common requirement — patients must try Levetiracetam first. Some payers also require trial of Lacosamide.
• Medicare Part D: Covered with varying copays. Patients in the coverage gap face significantly higher out-of-pocket costs.
• Uninsured: Full cash price applies. These patients are candidates for patient assistance programs.

A generic version of Brivaracetam has received FDA approval, but widespread availability remains limited. When stocked, generic pricing is expected to be $200–$600/month — a significant reduction, but still a meaningful expense for many patients.

Manufacturer Savings Programs

Briviact Patient Savings Card (UCB)

This is the single most impactful program for commercially insured patients:

• Eligible patients may pay as little as $10/month for a 30-day supply
• Available to patients with commercial insurance (including marketplace plans)
• Not valid for: Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, or other government-funded programs
• Registration: briviact.com/savings or UCBCares at 833-948-2394
• No income requirements for commercially insured patients

In practice, this card covers the difference between the patient's copay and $10. For a patient facing a $200 specialty tier copay, this is transformative.

Clinical workflow tip: Have your staff mention the savings card when sending the prescription. Include the enrollment URL or phone number on after-visit summaries. Some EHR systems allow you to attach savings program information to the medication order.

UCBCares Patient Assistance Program

For uninsured and underinsured patients who meet income criteria:

• Provides Briviact at no cost to qualifying patients
• Contact: UCBCares at (844) 599-2273 or UCBCares@ucb.com
• Requires income verification and documentation
• Your office may need to submit clinical documentation supporting the prescription

This program is critical for patients who fall through the cracks — those without insurance, between coverage, or with plans that deny coverage after appeals.

Coupon and Discount Cards

For patients who don't qualify for manufacturer programs (or as a supplement), third-party discount platforms can help:

• GoodRx: Shows pricing across nearby pharmacies and provides free coupons. Briviact prices with GoodRx can vary significantly by pharmacy.
• SingleCare: Similar to GoodRx with free discount cards accepted at most major pharmacies.
• RxSaver: Another price comparison tool with printable or digital coupons.
• Optum Perks / BuzzRx / Inside Rx: Additional discount card options — pricing varies.

These platforms work best for patients paying cash or whose insurance copay exceeds the discounted price. They cannot be combined with insurance or the manufacturer savings card at the same transaction.

For a patient-facing breakdown of all savings options, you can direct patients to our guide: How to Save Money on Briviact.

Generic Alternatives and Therapeutic Substitution

Generic Brivaracetam

Generic Brivaracetam has received FDA approval but may not be widely stocked at all pharmacies as of early 2026. When available, anticipated pricing is $200–$600/month — still expensive but substantially less than brand. Monitor availability and proactively switch patients when appropriate.

Therapeutic Substitution: When to Consider Alternatives

If cost is an insurmountable barrier and financial assistance programs have been exhausted, therapeutic substitution may be clinically appropriate:

• Levetiracetam (Keppra): The most direct alternative. Same target (SV2A), available as generic for a fraction of the cost. The trade-off: some patients switched to Briviact specifically because of Levetiracetam's behavioral side effects (irritability, aggression). Switching back requires careful monitoring.
• Lacosamide (Vimpat): Different mechanism (sodium channel). Available in generic form. Reasonable alternative for patients who can't access Briviact.
• Cenobamate (Xcopri): Newer option with strong efficacy data, but also brand-only and expensive. May have its own manufacturer savings programs.
• Perampanel (Fycompa): AMPA receptor antagonist. Brand-only. Different mechanism but also costly.

For a clinical comparison of alternatives, see Alternatives to Briviact. For a provider-focused overview of the availability landscape, refer to our provider shortage guide.

Additional Resources

• NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — Database of patient assistance programs, discount drug cards, and disease-specific resources
• RxAssist (rxassist.org) — Comprehensive directory of pharmaceutical company patient assistance programs
• RxHope (rxhope.com) — Helps patients and providers connect with assistance programs
• Medfinder for Providers — Helps your practice connect patients with pharmacies that have Briviact in stock, reducing the fill-or-fail cycle

Building Cost Conversations Into Your Workflow

Cost discussions shouldn't be an afterthought. Here are practical ways to integrate them:

At the Point of Prescribing

• Ask about insurance coverage and formulary status before writing the prescription
• Mention the UCB savings card proactively — don't wait for the patient to report cost problems
• If the patient is uninsured, initiate the UCBCares patient assistance application before they leave the office

At Follow-Up Visits

• Ask specifically: "Have you had any trouble affording or filling your Briviact?"
• Non-adherence due to cost often presents as "I forgot a few doses" — probe gently
• Review savings card status — some programs require annual renewal

Staff Training

• Train your front office and medical assistants on the basics of manufacturer savings programs
• Create a quick-reference sheet with program names, phone numbers, and eligibility criteria
• Designate a team member to handle prior authorizations and savings card enrollment

Pharmacy Coordination

• Work with a pharmacy that reliably stocks Briviact — our provider guide on finding Briviact can help
• Specialty pharmacies may offer additional financial counseling and copay assistance
• If patients report availability issues, Medfinder for Providers can help identify in-stock pharmacies

Final Thoughts

Briviact is an important treatment option for patients with partial-onset seizures, but its cost can undermine even the best clinical outcomes. By proactively connecting patients with savings programs, monitoring for cost-related non-adherence, and having a plan for financial barriers, you can help ensure your patients stay on the medication that works for them.

For pharmacy-level support, Medfinder for Providers helps practices locate Briviact in stock and streamline the fill process for patients.