Effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsies: first
Anna Biró1, Ulrich Stephani2, Tiziana Tarallo2
1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Schön Klinik Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany.
Insights
Perampanel (PER) shows effectiveness in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsies, with 31% achieving significant seizure reduction. Tolerability was acceptable, with fatigue and behavioral changes as common side effects.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatric Epilepsy
Background:
- Refractory epilepsies in children pose significant treatment challenges.
- Perampanel (PER) is an antiepileptic drug with limited data in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) in pediatric patients with refractory epilepsies.
- To report initial clinical experiences with PER in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, observational, multicenter survey of the first pediatric patients treated with PER.
- Data collected via physician-completed questionnaires on effectiveness and adverse events.
- Study included 58 pediatric patients (2-17 years) with various refractory epilepsy types.
Main Results:
- A 31% response rate (≥50% seizure reduction) was observed after 3 months of PER therapy.
- Complete seizure control was achieved in 9% of patients.
- Adverse effects included fatigue (n=16) and behavioral changes (n=14).
Conclusions:
- Perampanel (PER) demonstrates effectiveness in children and adolescents with pharmacoresistant epilepsies.
- The tolerability profile of PER in this pediatric cohort was acceptable.
Objective:
This article aims to report the first clinical experiences concerning effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) in a pediatric population with refractory epilepsies.
Patients And Methods:
This nonsponsored, observational, retrospective survey was conducted through collaboration with multiple centers in Europe. The clinical course of the first pediatric patients treated in these centers with PER was documented with the help of a questionnaire completed by the treating physicians. Effectiveness and adverse effects were evaluated. The study population consisted of 58 patients (mean age, 10.5 years; range, 2-17 years), suffering from various refractory epilepsies, classified as focal epilepsy (n = 36), unclassified generalized epilepsy (n = 12), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (n = 5), West syndrome (n = 3), and Dravet syndrome (n = 2).
Results:
The response rate (≥ 50% seizure reduction) after the first 3 months of therapy was 31% (18/58 patients) in total. Complete seizure control was achieved in five patients (9% overall). Aggravation of seizures occurred in five cases (9%). The most frequently occurring adverse effects were reduced vigilance or fatigue (n = 16) and behavioral changes (n = 14).
Discussion:
PER seems to be effective also in children and adolescents with pharmaco-refractory epilepsies. Tolerability was acceptable.
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