Abstracts

Rationale: Perampanel (PER) is a non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist that has been approved as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). This study was focused on evaluating the response to treatment with PER as first add-on treatment in patients with focal epilepsy and IGE. Methods: We recorded and retrospectively analysed 20 patients treated with PER as first add-on treatment from four different centres. Background characteristics of different variables were studied. Seizure frequency with PER treatment was analysed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: There were 60% men and 40% women with a median age of 40 years and median duration of epilepsy of 8 years. Focal epilepsy was suffered in 45% of patients, focal with secondary generalization in 30% and 25% presented idiopathic generalized epilepsy. All patients were followed for at least 3 months; 7 were monitored during 12 months. Responder rate was 65%, achieving seizure-free-state in 4 patients (20%). Median PER dose at 3 months was 4mg, 7mg at 6 months and 8mg at 12 months. 55% of patients experienced side effects; the most frequent were irritability and behavioral changes (6), followed by dizziness (3) and somnolence (2). They were objectified especially during the first 3 months and were temporary. Nevertheless, retention rate was 90% (discontinuation: 100% adverse effects). Conclusions: The adjunctive treatment with PER as first-add on antiepileptic drug may lead to an improvement in seizures frequency and even freedom of seizures. Further studies are warranted to corroborate this issue. Funding: No funding was received.