Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder with different etiologies.Despite of many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used in clinical treatment, about 30% of the patients have uncontrolled onset, and combined use of different AEDs or new AEDs are needed. The new AEDs should have satisfactory clinical efficacy, tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties, and minimal adverse effects.By now there have been about 20 novel AEDs; most of them are derivatives or analogues of current AEDs. Brivaracetam (BRI) is the derivative of levetiracetam(LEV). This review summarizes the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic profiles, tolerability, pharmacology and toxicology, and side effects of LEV and its derivative BRI.