Perampanel
About Perampanel
Perampanel is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy. It is approved for use to help control partial-onset seizures (seizures that start in one part of the brain, with or without spreading to other areas) and primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures (widespread, convulsive seizures). By helping to stabilise the electrical activity in the brain, this medicine aims to reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes.
To achieve the best results, you must take Perampanel consistently every day, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is typically taken once daily, usually at bedtime, and can be taken with or without food. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding triggers, and eating balanced meals can also support your treatment and improve overall seizure control.
While taking this medication, some people may experience side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, or irritability. It is vital to contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe mood changes, feelings of intense anger, aggression, or thoughts of self-harm, as these require prompt medical evaluation.
Before starting Perampanel, talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, kidney issues, or mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. Do not take this if you have had a severe allergic reaction to this medication or any of its inactive ingredients in the past.
This medicine can interact with alcohol, which can significantly increase drowsiness and affect your physical coordination. It may also interact with other prescription drugs, making them less effective or increasing side effects. Pregnant women, those planning to breastfeed, and elderly individuals should consult their doctor before taking Perampanel to ensure it is safe for their specific situation.
Uses of Perampanel
Medicinal Benefits
Perampanel helps control seizures by stabilising abnormal electrical activity in the brain. With regular use as prescribed, it reduces seizure frequency, supports daily safety, and improves overall quality of life.
- Reduces Seizure Frequency: By controlling abnormal electrical signals in the brain, this medicine helps reduce the frequency of seizures, allowing for a more stable and predictable daily routine.
- Supports Better Daily Functioning: Fewer seizures help reduce the risk of seizure-related injuries and allow you to participate in everyday activities with greater confidence and independence.
- Promotes Long-Term Seizure Control: By calming overactive nerve activity in the brain, this medicine helps provide consistent seizure management, offering reassurance and improving overall quality of life.
Directions for Use
- Perampanel can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually taken once daily at bedtime or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow the whole Perampanel with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Perampanel
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness or extreme tiredness
- Dizziness or feeling unsteady on your feet
- Nausea, vomiting, or mild stomach upset
- Weight gain or an increased appetite
- Headaches
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe mood changes, including extreme anger, aggression, anxiety, hostility, or confusion
- Thoughts of self-harm or hurting others
- Double vision, blurred vision, or involuntary eye movements
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or a widespread skin rash with peeling
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Monitor your behaviour daily: Ask a trusted family member or roommate to help watch for sudden changes in your personality, anger, mood swings, or aggression.
- Do not drive or operate machinery: Avoid driving, riding a bicycle, or handling hazardous equipment until you know exactly how this medicine affects your alertness and balance.
- Avoid sudden discontinuation: Never stop taking Perampanel on your own. Doing so can cause continuous, life-threatening seizures that are difficult to stop.
- Measure liquid doses carefully: If using the oral suspension, write the date of opening on the bottle. Safely discard any unused liquid suspension after the number of days specified by the manufacturer (usually 90 days after opening).
- Take it at bedtime: Taking your dose right before bed can help you sleep through the peak drowsiness and dizziness side effects, reducing your risk of daytime falls.
Drug Interactions
- Certain other anti-seizure medications: Drugs like carbamazepine, phenytoin, or oxcarbazepine can speed up how your body processes Perampanel, which may lower its levels in your blood and make it less effective.
- Hormonal contraceptives: Perampanel can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills containing estrogen, increasing the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about using reliable non-hormonal birth control.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants: Taking this medicine alongside sleep aids, muscle relaxants, or anxiety medications can cause extreme drowsiness and slow breathing.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Perampanel as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPerampanel is not recommended during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Perampanel passes into breast milk. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafePerampanel causes drowsiness, sleepiness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Consult your doctor before taking Perampanel if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this. Avoid taking Perampanel if you have serious liver problems.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Consult your doctor before taking Perampanel if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this. Avoid taking Perampanel if you have moderate or serious kidney problems.
Children
cautionPerampanel is not recommended for children below four years. The safety and effectiveness have not been established in children below 4 years of age for partial seizures and below 7 years of age for generalised seizures.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Prioritise consistent sleep: Lack of sleep is a common trigger for seizures. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep every night and stick to a regular bedtime routine.
- Avoid alcohol entirely: Alcohol can trigger seizures and dangerously multiply the sedative effects of Perampanel, leading to severe drowsiness and confusion.
- Keep a detailed seizure diary: Record the date, time, and details of any seizures, along with your daily sleep quality and stress levels. This helps your doctor monitor how well your medication is working.
- Practice daily stress management: High stress levels can lower your seizure threshold. Incorporate gentle activities like deep breathing, meditation, or quiet walks into your daily routine.
- Avoid extreme dieting: Sudden changes in your eating habits or blood sugar levels can trigger seizures. Eat balanced meals at regular intervals throughout the day.
Special Advise
Close monitoring of lipid profile is recommended during treatment with Perampanel.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience suicidal tendencies.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: It is a neurological/central nervous system disorder in which the brain's electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden electrical impulses that affect an individual’s consciousness, movements, or sensations. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorder, brain injury or stroke.
FAQs
Perampanel is used to treat epilepsy/seizures.
Perampanel prevents seizures by blocking a receptor in the brain known as the glutamate receptor, thereby suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Yes. Perampanel may reduce the effectiveness of certain hormonal contraceptives, including some birth control pills containing levonorgestrel or estrogen. Use an effective non-hormonal contraceptive method, such as condoms or a copper intrauterine device (IUD), during treatment and discuss the most appropriate contraception with your doctor.
Perampanel may cause weight gain, so try to maintain a proper weight by following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
Perampanel has a potential for abuse and dependence. It is a controlled substance, and long-term use can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when stopped.
When taking Perampanel, it's important to be aware of the potential side effects. While rare, these can include suicidal thoughts and behavior, severe allergic reactions, and serious psychiatric events like aggression, agitation, and hallucinations. Additionally, Perampanel may increase the risk of seizures, especially in people with a history of seizure disorders. However, by being mindful of these possibilities and working closely with your healthcare team, you can minimize risks and maximize the benefits of this medication.
When stopping Perampanel, withdrawal symptoms may occur. These can include insomnia (difficulty sleeping), nausea, headache, dizziness, irritability, anxiety, agitation, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, confusion, and seizures (in people with a history of seizure disorders). If you're considering stopping Perampanel, it's essential to consult your doctor for guidance and support to manage the process and ensure your safety.
While taking Perampanel, avoiding certain activities and substances is crucial to ensure your safety. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery, as Perampanel can cause drowsiness and sedation. Also, avoid consuming alcohol and other central nervous system depressants, as they can worsen these effects. Additionally, avoid stopping the medication suddenly, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Following your doctor's guidance and advice is vital while taking Perampanel.
No. Do not stop taking Perampanel without consulting your doctor, even if your seizures have stopped or you feel well. Stopping the medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal symptoms or increase the risk of seizures. If treatment needs to be stopped, your doctor will gradually reduce your dose to lower these risks.
The common side effects of Perampanel may include blurred or double vision, constipation, decreased sense of touch or sensation, dizziness or a sense of spinning, drowsiness, headache, irritability, muscle, back, or joint pain, nausea, problems with coordination, tiredness, vomiting, and weight gain.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system and is characterized by recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These seizures can disrupt consciousness, movement, sensation, or other bodily functions. Possible causes of epilepsy include high fever, trauma, genetic disorders, brain injury, or stroke.
Sudden changes in behaviour, hostility, and aggression are serious risks associated with this medicine. If you or your family members notice these changes, contact your doctor immediately. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment.
Perampanel is generally not recommended during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to conceive, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. Use effective contraception during treatment and for one month after your last dose, or as advised by your doctor. Your doctor will weigh the benefits of seizure control against the potential risks to your baby.
Perampanel can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, and double vision, especially when you first start taking it or when your doctor is gradually increasing your dose. You should not drive or operate machinery until you are certain the medicine does not affect your ability to do so safely. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
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