Doses >12 mg/day may ↓ effectiveness of levonorgestrel-containing hormonal contraceptives.
Strong CYP3A4 inducers or moderate CYP3A4 inducers, including carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and topiramate, may ↓ levels and effectiveness; careful monitoring is required especially during initiation and withdrawal. Dosage adjustments may be required.
↑ risk of CNS depression with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, sedating antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, opioids, and sedative/hypnotics.
Drug-Natural Products:
St. John's wort may ↓ levels and effectiveness; avoid concurrent use.
PO (Adults and Children ≥4 yr): 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day at weekly intervals (usual dosage range = 4–12 mg once daily); Concurrent use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine): 4 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day at weekly intervals (maximum dose = 12 mg once daily).
PO Geriatric Patients: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (usual dosage range = 4–12 mg once daily); Concurrent use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine): 4 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (maximum dose = 12 mg once daily).
Hepatic Impairment PO (Adults and Children ≥4 yr): Mild hepatic impairment: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (maximum dose = 6 mg once daily); Moderate hepatic impairment: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day after 2 wk up to 4 mg once daily.
Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
PO (Adults and Children ≥12 yr): 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day at weekly intervals (usual dosage range = 8–12 mg once daily); Concurrent use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine): 4 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day at weekly intervals (maximum dose = 12 mg once daily).
PO Geriatric Patients: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (usual dosage range = 4–12 mg once daily); Concurrent use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine): 4 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (maximum dose = 12 mg once daily).
Hepatic Impairment PO (Adults and Children ≥12 yr): Mild hepatic impairment: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day every 2 wk (maximum dose = 6 mg once daily); Moderate hepatic impairment: 2 mg once daily at bedtime initially; may ↑ by 2 mg/day after 2 wk up to 4 mg once daily.
Assess location, duration, and characteristics of seizure activity. Institute seizure precautions. Assess response to and continued need for perampanel periodically during therapy.
Monitor closely for notable changes in behavior that could indicate the emergence or worsening of suicidal thoughts or behavior, new or worse aggressive behavior, or depression. If psychiatric or behavioral changes occur, ↓ dose; if symptoms are severe or worsening, permanently discontinue perampanel.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of neurologic effects (dizziness, gait disturbance, somnolence, fatigue) during therapy. More common during titration phase and with geriatric patients.
Monitor for signs and symptoms of DRESS (fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, facial swelling), associated with involvement of other organ systems (hepatitis, nephritis, hematologic abnormalities, myocarditis, myositis) during therapy. May resemble an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. Discontinue therapy if signs occur.
Instruct patient to take perampanel as directed. Missed doses should be omitted and dosing resumed the following day. Notify health care provider if more than 1 day of dosing is missed. Medication should be gradually discontinued to prevent seizures; do not stop abruptly. Advise patient to read the Medication Guide prior to starting perampanel and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
May cause dizziness, sleepiness, fatigue, gait disturbance, and ↑ risk of falls. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known.
Inform patients and families of risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior (behavioral changes, emerging or worsening signs and symptoms of depression, unusual changes in mood, emergence of suicidal/homicidal thoughts or behavior, thoughts of self-harm) and aggressive behavior (hostility, anger, anxiety, irritability, being suspicious or distrustful, believing things that are not true). Advise that these should be reported to health care provider immediately.
Instruct patient to notify health care provider of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care provider before taking any new medications, especially carbamazepine, phenytoin, oxcarbazepine, rifampin, and St. John's wort. Advise patient to avoid taking other CNS depressants or alcohol.
Rep: Perampanel ↓ efficacy of levonorgestrel; advise patients to use a nonhormonal form of birth control during therapy. Advise women of reproductive potential to notify health care provider if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding. Encourage pregnant patients to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry by calling 1-888-233-2334; information is available at www.aedpregnancyregistry.org.