Tolerability and efficacy of perampanel in children with refractory epilepsy

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.