Having trouble finding Briviact at your pharmacy? Learn why this epilepsy medication can be hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
If you or a loved one takes Briviact (Brivaracetam) for seizures, you may have experienced a frustrating scenario: you hand your prescription to the pharmacist and hear, "We don't have that in stock." You're not alone. Many patients across the country have had difficulty finding Briviact at their local pharmacy. In this article, we'll explain why that happens and what you can do about it.
Briviact is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active ingredient Brivaracetam. It belongs to a class of drugs called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and is used to treat partial-onset (focal) seizures in patients as young as 1 month old. Briviact works by binding to a protein called SV2A in the brain, which helps reduce abnormal electrical activity that causes seizures.
Briviact is manufactured by UCB, Inc. and was approved by the FDA in 2016. It is available as tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg), an oral solution, and an intravenous injection. It is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance, meaning it has a very low potential for abuse.
For a deeper look at how this medication works, check out our guide on how Briviact works.
There are several reasons you might have trouble filling your Briviact prescription. Here are the most common ones:
Briviact is not a medication that every pharmacy keeps on its shelves. Unlike common drugs such as Lisinopril or Metformin, Briviact is a specialty antiepileptic drug prescribed to a relatively small group of patients. Many chain pharmacies — including CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid — may not routinely stock it because there isn't enough local demand to justify keeping it in inventory.
While the FDA has approved generic versions of Brivaracetam from manufacturers like Aurobindo and Lupin, these generics may not yet be widely distributed or stocked at most pharmacies. When a generic is new to the market, it can take time for supply chains to catch up. This means even if a generic exists on paper, your local pharmacy might not carry it yet.
Even when a pharmacy does stock Briviact, insurance complications can delay your fill. Many insurance plans require prior authorization or step therapy — meaning your doctor may need to show that you tried a cheaper alternative like Levetiracetam (Keppra) first. These administrative hurdles can make it feel like the drug is "unavailable" even when the pharmacy has it on the shelf.
Because Briviact is a Schedule V controlled substance, pharmacies must follow additional regulations for ordering and dispensing it. While Schedule V is the lowest controlled substance category, some pharmacies may be more cautious about stocking controlled medications, particularly if they don't fill prescriptions for it regularly.
If you're struggling to find Briviact, don't give up. Here are some practical steps you can take:
Medfinder lets you search for pharmacies near you that currently have Briviact in stock. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check availability online and save yourself time and stress.
Independent and compounding pharmacies often have more flexibility in ordering specialty medications. They may be willing to order Briviact specifically for you, even if they don't keep it in regular stock. Many independent pharmacies can get a medication within 1-2 business days.
If you absolutely cannot find Briviact, talk to your neurologist about alternatives to Briviact. Medications like Levetiracetam (Keppra), Lacosamide (Vimpat), and Cenobamate (Xcopri) are used for similar conditions. However, never switch medications without your doctor's guidance — seizure control depends on finding the right drug for you.
UCB, the maker of Briviact, offers a patient support program called UCBCares. They can help you locate pharmacies that stock Briviact and may be able to connect you with financial assistance. Call them at 833-948-2394 or visit briviact.com.
If you know your refill is coming up, try to request it at least a week before you run out. This gives your pharmacy time to order the medication if they don't have it on hand. Running out of an antiepileptic drug can be dangerous — stopping Briviact suddenly can cause withdrawal seizures.
Finding Briviact in stock can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. The key is understanding why availability is limited and taking proactive steps to secure your prescription. Use tools like Medfinder to check stock near you, consider independent pharmacies, and always communicate with your healthcare team if you're having trouble. For more tips, read our guide on how to find Briviact in stock near you.
Your seizure control matters, and you deserve reliable access to the medications that keep you safe.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
Try Medfinder Concierge FreeMedfinder's mission is to ensure every patient gets access to the medications they need. We believe this begins with trustworthy information. Our core values guide everything we do, including the standards that shape the accuracy, transparency, and quality of our content. We’re committed to delivering information that’s evidence-based, regularly updated, and easy to understand. For more details on our editorial process, see here.
%2C%20Color%3DOriginal.png)
