Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Perampanel in children with refractory epilepsy

Heyman E, Lahat E, Levin N, Epstein O, Lazinger M, Berkovitch M, Gandelman-Marton R. Tolerability and efficacy of perampanel in children with refractory epilepsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2016 Dec 9. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.13362. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract
AIM:
There are few reports on the tolerability and efficacy of perampanel, a new antiepileptic drug with a novel mechanism of action, in children and adolescents. We aimed to describe our experience with perampanel add-on and mono-therapy in children with refractory epilepsy.
METHOD:
Computerized medical records of children treated with perampanel in the paediatric neurology clinic from December 2012 to October 2015 were reviewed.
RESULTS:
Twenty-four children treated with perampanel (15 females, 9 males) aged 1 year 6 months to 17 years (mean 10y, standard deviation [SD] 4y 5mo) were identified. Adverse events were more common in children aged 12 years or older (89%) compared to younger children (53%), and were mainly behavioural. Ten (42%) children had 50 per cent or higher seizure reduction, two (8%) children had 33 per cent seizure reduction, and seizures were less severe in one (4%) child. Perampanel was discontinued in 13 (54%) children mostly due to adverse events. The mean duration of follow-up in the remaining 11 children was 8.1 months (SD 5.2) (range 1.3-17mo).
INTERPRETATION:
Perampanel is associated with a relatively high rate of behavioural adverse events mostly in adolescents with refractory epilepsy.


Courtesy of:  https://www.mdlinx.com/neurology/medical-news-article/2016/12/12/perampanel-children-refractory-epilepsy/6977026/?category=latest&page_id=4

1 comment:

  1. Singh K, Shah YD, Luciano D, Friedman D, Devinsky O, Kothare SV. Safety and efficacy of perampanel in children and adults with various epilepsy syndromes: A single-center postmarketing study. Epilepsy Behav. 2016 Aug;61:41-5.

    Abstract
    INTRODUCTION:
    Perampanel is an AMPA receptor antagonist recently approved for the treatment of partial and generalized epilepsies with tonic-clonic seizures as an add-on therapy.
    METHODS:
    This single-center postmarketing study retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of perampanel in patients with partial onset and other seizure types, with a special emphasis on its efficacy, safety, and tolerability.
    RESULTS:
    Review of medical records revealed that adequate data were available on 101 patients taking perampanel. Fifty-seven patients were female. Sixteen patients were of pediatric age range. The average dose of perampanel was 6.5mg, and average treatment duration was 8.2months. After treatment, median seizure frequency reduction was 50% overall, 50% in children, and 33% in adults; 44% in primary generalized, 38% in secondarily generalized, and 33% in partial seizures. Responder rate (50% seizure frequency reduction) was 51% overall, 63% in children, and 49% in adults; 60% in partial seizures, 43% in secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 53% in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and 56% in other seizure types. Seizure freedom was attained in 6% of cases. Most common adverse events were sleepiness/fatigue (35%), behavioral problems (30%), and dizziness (22%). Adverse events were correlated with dosage. Average dose was 7.3mg in patients with adverse events vs. 5.5mg in those without adverse events. Patients who developed fatigue, cognitive decline, headaches, and weight gain were more likely to discontinue perampanel than those patients who experienced coordination issues and behavioral problems.
    CONCLUSIONS:
    These findings suggest that perampanel is safe, well-tolerated, and effective in treatment of various types of adult and pediatric epilepsy syndromes. Fatigue, cognitive decline, headache and weight gain were the main causes of perampanel discontinuation.

    ReplyDelete