A multicenter survey of clinical experiences with perampanel in real life in Germany and Austria.
Perampanel (PER) has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for adjunctive treatment of patients with partial-onset seizures from age 12 years on. It has been introduced to the market in Germany and Austria in 2012. This cross-sectional observational study summarizes the clinical experience of nine centers with adjunctive PER. Patients were consecutively followed from the initiation of PER on. Only patients with a minimum observational period of six months (in case of ongoing treatment) were recruited. Efficacy data reflect the preceding three months at last observation, tolerability data were assessed at the last observation carried forward. 281 patients were included. After six months 169 were still on PER so that a retention rate of 60% resulted. 43 patients were seizure-free for the preceding 3 months (15%). Overall incidence of adverse events was 52.0%. The leading adverse events were somnolence (24.6%) and dizziness (19.6%) followed by ataxia (3.9%), aggression (2.8%), nausea (2.5%) and irritability (2.1%). We conclude that adjunctive PER may lead to at least temporary freedom of seizures in some of these highly difficult-to-treat patients. Adverse events are not uncommon.
Epilepsiezentrum Kork, Kehl, Kork, Germany. Electronic address: bsteinhoff@epilepsiezentrum.de.
Bernhard J
BJ
Steinhoff
Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany.
Hajo
H
Hamer
Neurological University Hospital of Salzburg, Austria.
Eugen
E
Trinka
Epilepsy Centre, University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany.
Andreas
A
Schulze-Bonhage
Bethel Epilepsie Center, Bielefeld-Bethel, Germany.
Christian
C
Bien
Saxonian Epilepsy Centre Dresden, Kleinwachau, Germany.
Thomas
T
Mayer
Zentrum Rosenhügel, Neurological Department, Vienna, Austria.
Christoph
C
Baumgartner
Neurological University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
Holger
H
Lerche
Neurological University Hospital of München, Ludwig-Maximilians University, München, Germany.
Soheyl
S
Noachtar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001317:Austria; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles; D011728:Pyridones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009570:Nitriles; D011728:Pyridones; C551441:perampanel
Clinical experience; Epilepsy; Multicenter; Observational; Perampanel