Efficacy and safety of perampanel for epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world studies

P.-F. Fan, C. Zhuo, M. Huang

Department of Neurology, Changxing County People’s Hospital, County, Huzhou City, China. huangmin871218@163.com

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• Epilepsy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to summarize the findings of the studies documenting the efficacy and safety of perampanel when used in children/adolescents or adults, either as add-on therapy or as monotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus. Only studies with a cohort-based approach (either prospective or retrospective) were included. We were interested in real-world studies and therefore, studies with a highly regulated environment, such as randomized controlled trials, were excluded. The primary outcomes of interest were retention rates, response rates and seizure-free rates. Random effects model was used for the analysis. Effect sizes were reported as pooled prevalence along with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included. The retention rates, within 24 months from initiation of treatment as an add-on therapy, ranged between 65% to 77% among children and adolescents. For adults, the retention rate varied between 56 to 77% within 24 months from initiation of treatment. The response rate was around 70% in children/adolescents and 52% in adults at 24 months of follow-up. Around 25% of children and adolescents and 37% of adults were seizure-free at 24 months follow-up period. The proportion of children/adolescents and adults reporting any treatment-related adverse effects was 29% and 41%, respectively. The commonly reported adverse effects were dizziness/drowsiness, somnolence, behavioral problems (irritability, aggression, anxiety, mood changes), postural instability/gait problems, fatigue and weight gain.

CONCLUSIONS: Perampanel might be an effective anti-epileptic drug in both children/adolescents and adults when used as an adjunct therapy. More data is required to comment on its use as monotherapy. Careful monitoring for psychiatric problems and behavioral disturbances is required, both prior to initiating treatment as well as during the course of management. Studies with long-term follow-up may are needed to confirm the findings of this meta-analysis.

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