perampanel
Brand names: Perampanel, Fycompa, PERAMPANEL
Boxed warning
WARNING: SERIOUS PSYCHIATRIC AND BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS Serious or life-threatening psychiatric and behavioral adverse reactions including aggression, hostility, irritability, anger, and homicidal ideation and threats have been reported in patients taking FYCOMPA ( 5.1 ) . These reactions occurred in patients with and without prior psychiatric history, prior aggressive behavior, or concomitant use of medications associated with hostility and aggression ( 5.1 ) . Advise patients and caregivers to contact a healthcare provider immediately if any of these reactions or changes in mood, behavior, or personality that are not typical for the patient are observed while taking FYCOMPA or after discontinuing FYCOMPA ( 5.1 ) . Closely monitor patients particularly during the titration period and at higher doses ( 5.1 ) . FYCOMPA should be reduced if these symptoms occur and should be discontinued immediately if symptoms are severe or are worsening ( 5.1 ) . WARNING: SERIOUS PSYCHIATRIC AND BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Serious or life-threatening psychiatric and behavioral adverse reactions including aggression, hostility, irritability, anger, and homicidal ideation and threats have been reported in patients taking FYCOMPA ( 5.1 ) Monitor patients for these reactions as well as for changes in mood, behavior, or personality that are not typical for the patient, particularly during the titration period and at higher doses ( 5.1 ) FYCOMPA should be reduced if these symptoms occur and should be discontinued immediately if symptoms are severe or are worsening ( 5.1 )
Warnings
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Monitor for suicidal thoughts or behavior ( 5.2 ) Neurologic Effects: Monitor for dizziness, gait disturbance, somnolence, and fatigue ( 5.3 ) Patients should use caution when driving or operating machinery ( 5.3 ) Falls: Monitor for falls and injuries ( 5.4 ) Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/ Multi-Organ Hypersensitivity: Discontinue if no alternate etiology ( 5.5 ) Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs: In patients with epilepsy, there may be an increase in seizure frequency ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Serious P sychiatric and Behavioral Reactions In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, hostility- and aggression-related adverse reactions occurred in 12% and 20% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, compared to 6% of patients in the placebo group. These effects were dose-related and generally appeared within the first 6 weeks of treatment, although new events continued to be observed through more than 37 weeks. FYCOMPA-treated patients experienced more hostility- and aggression-related adverse reactions that were serious, severe, and led to dose reduction, interruption, and discontinuation more frequently than placebo-treated patients. In general, in placebo-controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, neuropsychiatric events were reported more frequently in patients being treated with FYCOMPA than in patients taking placebo. These events included irritability, aggression, anger, and anxiety, which occurred in 2% or greater of FYCOMPA-treated patients and twice as frequently as in placebo-treated patients. Other symptoms that occurred with FYCOMPA and were more common than with placebo included belligerence, affect lability, agitation, and physical assault. Some of these events were reported as serious and life-threatening. Homicidal ideation and/or threat were exhibited in 0.1% of 4,368 FYCOMPA-treated patients in controlled and open label trials, including non-epilepsy trials . Homicidal ideation and/or threat have also been reported postmarketing in patients treated with FYCOMPA. In the partial-onset seizure clinical trials, these events occurred in patients with and without prior psychiatric history, prior aggressive behavior, or concomitant use of medications associated with hostility and aggression. Some patients experienced worsening of their pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Patients with active psychotic disorders and unstable recurrent affective disorders were excluded from the clinical trials. The combination of alcohol and FYCOMPA significantly worsened mood and increased anger. Patients taking FYCOMPA should avoid the use of alcohol [ see Drug Interactions (7.3) ] . Similar serious psychiatric and behavioral events were observed in the primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure clinical trial. In healthy volunteers taking FYCOMPA, observed psychiatric events included paranoia, euphoric mood, agitation, anger, mental status changes, and disorientation/confusional state. In the non-epilepsy trials, psychiatric events that occurred in perampanel-treated patients more often than placebo-treated patients included disorientation, delusion, and paranoia. In the postmarketing setting, there have been reports of psychosis (acute psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia) and delirium (delirium, confusional state, disorientation, memory impairment) in patients treated with FYCOMPA [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed that FYCOMPA may increase the risk of psychiatric events. Patients should be monitored during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of FYCOMPA, and especially when taking higher doses and during the initial few weeks of drug therapy (titration period) or at other times of dose increases. Dose of FYCOMPA should be reduced if these symptoms occur. Permanently discontinue FYCOMPA for persistent severe or worsening psychiatric symptoms or behaviors and refer for psychiatric evaluation. 5. 2 Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including FYCOMPA, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical trials (mono- and adjunctive therapy) of 11 different AEDs showed that patients randomized to one of the AEDs had approximately twice the risk (adjusted Relative Risk 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.7) of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients randomized to placebo. In these trials, which had a median treatment duration of 12 weeks, the estimated incidence of suicidal behavior or ideation among 27,863 AED-treated patients was 0.43%, compared to 0.24% among 16,029 placebo-treated patients, representing an increase of approximately one case of suicidal thinking or behavior for every 530 patients treated. There were four suicides in drug-treated patients in the trials and none in placebo-treated patients, but the number is too small to allow any conclusion about drug effect on suicide. The increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with AEDs was observed as early as 1 week after starting drug treatment with AEDs and persisted for the duration of treatment assessed. Because most trials included in the analysis did not extend beyond 24 weeks, the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior beyond 24 weeks could not be assessed. The risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior was generally consistent among drugs in the data analyzed. The finding of increased risk with AEDs of varying mechanisms of action and across a range of indications suggests that the risk applies to all AEDs used for any indication. The risk did not vary substantially by age (5-100 years) in the clinical trials analyzed. Table 1 shows absolute and relative risk by indication for all evaluated AEDs. Table 1. Risk by indication for antiepileptic drugs in the pooled analysis Indication Placebo Patients with Events per 1000 Patients Drug Patients with Events per 1000 patients Relative Risk: Incidence of Events in drug Patients/ Incidence in Placebo Patients Risk Difference: Additional Drug Patients with Events per 1000 Patients Epilepsy 1.0 3.4 3.5 2.4 Psychiatric 5.7 8.5 1.5 2.9 Other 1.0 1.8 1.9 0.9 Total 2.4 4.3 1.8 1.9 The relative risk for suicidal thoughts or behavior was higher in clinical trials for epilepsy than in clinical trials for psychiatric or other conditions, but the absolute risk differences were similar for the epilepsy and psychiatric indications. Anyone considering prescribing FYCOMPA or any other AED must balance the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior with the risk of untreated illness. Epilepsy and many other illnesses for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Should suicidal thoughts and behavior emerge during treatment, the prescriber needs to consider whether the emergence of these symptoms in any given patient may be related to the illness being treated. 5. 3 Neurologic Effects Dizziness and Gait Disturbance FYCOMPA caused dose-related increases in events related to dizziness and disturbance in gait or coordination [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, dizziness and vertigo were reported in 35% and 47% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, compared to 10% of placebo-treated patients. The gait disturbance related events (including ataxia, gait disturbance, balance disorder, and abnormal coordination) were reported in 12% and 16% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, compared to 2% of placebo-treated patients. Elderly patients had an increased risk of these adverse reactions compared to younger adults and pediatric patients. These adverse reactions occurred mostly during the titration phase and led to discontinuation in 3% of FYCOMPA-treated patients compared to 1% of placebo-treated patients. These adverse reactions were also observed in the primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure clinical trial. Somnolence and Fatigue FYCOMPA caused dose-dependent increases in somnolence and fatigue-related events (including fatigue, asthenia, and lethargy). In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, 16% and 18% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, reported somnolence compared to 7% of placebo patients. In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, 12% and 15% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, reported fatigue-related events compared to 5% of placebo patients. Somnolence or fatigue-related events led to discontinuation in 2% of FYCOMPA-treated patients and 0.5% of placebo-treated patients. Elderly patients had an increased risk of these adverse reactions compared to younger adults and pediatric patients. In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, these adverse reactions occurred mostly during the titration phase. These adverse reactions were also observed in the primary generalized tonic-clonic seizure clinical trial. Risk Amelioration Prescribers should advise patients against engaging in hazardous activities requiring mental alertness, such as operating motor vehicles or dangerous machinery, until the effect of FYCOMPA is known. Patients should be carefully observed for signs of central nervous system (CNS) depression, such as somnolence and sedation, when FYCOMPA is used with other drugs with sedative properties because of potential additive effects. 5. 4 Falls An increased risk of falls, in some cases leading to serious injuries including head injuries and bone fracture, occurred in patients being treated with FYCOMPA (with and without concurrent seizures). In the controlled partial-onset seizure clinical trials, falls were reported in 5% and 10% of patients randomized to receive FYCOMPA at doses of 8 mg and 12 mg per day, respectively, compared to 3% of placebo-treated patients. Falls were reported as serious and led to discontinuation more frequently in FYCOMPA-treated patients than placebo-treated patients. Elderly patients had an increased risk of falls compared to younger adults and pediatric patients. 5.5 Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), also known as Multiorgan hypersensitivity, has been reported in patients taking antiepileptic drugs, including FYCOMPA. DRESS may be fatal or life-threatening. DRESS typically, although not exclusively, presents with fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and/or facial swelling, in association with other organ system involvement, such as hepatitis, nephritis, hematological abnormalities, myocarditis, or myositis sometimes resembling an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. Because this disorder is variable in its expression, other organ systems not noted here may be involved. It is important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity, such as fever or lymphadenopathy, may be present even though rash is not evident. If such signs or symptoms are present, the patient should be evaluated immediately. FYCOMPA should be discontinued if an alternative etiology for the signs or symptoms cannot be established. 5. 6 Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs There is the potential of increased seizure frequency in patients with seizure disorders when antiepileptic drugs are withdrawn abruptly. FYCOMPA has a half-life of approximately 105 hours so that even after abrupt cessation, blood levels fall gradually. In epilepsy clinical trials FYCOMPA was withdrawn without down-titration. Although a small number of patients exhibited seizures following discontinuation, the data were not sufficient to allow any recommendations regarding appropriate withdrawal regimens. A gradual withdrawal is generally recommended with antiepileptic drugs, but if withdrawal is a response to adverse events, prompt withdrawal can be considered.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None ( 4 )
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE The highest reported overdose of FYCOMPA was 300 mg. Events reported after FYCOMPA overdose include somnolence, stupor, coma, psychiatric or behavioral reactions, altered mental status, and dizziness or gait disturbances. There is no available specific antidote to the overdose reactions of FYCOMPA. In the event of overdose, standard medical practice for the management of any overdose should be used. An adequate airway, oxygenation, and ventilation should be ensured; monitoring of cardiac rhythm and vital sign measurement is recommended. A certified poison control center should be contacted for updated information on the management of overdose with FYCOMPA. Due to its long half-life, the reactions caused by FYCOMPA could be prolonged.
Drug interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Contraceptives: 12 mg once daily may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives containing levonorgestrel ( 7.1 ) Moderate and Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (including carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin): increase clearance of perampanel and decrease perampanel plasma concentrations. When moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers are introduced or withdrawn, monitor patients closely. Dose adjustment of FYCOMPA may be necessary ( 2.3 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Contraceptives With concomitant use, FYCOMPA at a dose of 12 mg per day reduced levonorgestrel exposure by approximately 40% [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Use of FYCOMPA with contraceptives containing levonorgestrel may render them less effective. Additional non-hormonal forms of contraception are recommended [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.3) ] . 7.2 Moderate and Strong CYP3A4 Inducers The concomitant use of known moderate and strong CYP3A4 inducers including carbamazepine, phenytoin, or oxcarbazepine with FYCOMPA decreased the plasma levels of perampanel by approximately 50-67% [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . The starting doses for FYCOMPA should be increased in the presence of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers [ s e e Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . When these moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers are introduced or withdrawn from a patient’s treatment regimen, the patient should be closely monitored for clinical response and tolerability. Dose adjustment of FYCOMPA may be necessary [ see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . 7.3 Alcohol and Other CNS Depressants The concomitant use of FYCOMPA and CNS depressants including alcohol may increase CNS depression. A pharmacodynamic interaction study in healthy subjects found that the effects of FYCOMPA on complex tasks such as driving ability were additive or supra-additive to the impairment effects of alcohol [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Multiple dosing of FYCOMPA 12 mg per day also enhanced the effects of alcohol to interfere with vigilance and alertness, and increased levels of anger, confusion, and depression. These effects may also be seen when FYCOMPA is used in combination with other CNS depressants. Care should be taken when administering FYCOMPA with these agents. Patients should limit activity until they have experience with concomitant use of CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, narcotics, barbiturates, sedating antihistamines). Advise patients not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on FYCOMPA to gauge whether it adversely affects these activities.
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE FYCOMPA, a non-competitive AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist, is indicated for: Treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures in patients with epilepsy 4 years of age and older ( 1.1 ) Adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with epilepsy 12 years of age and older ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Partial - Onset Seizures FYCOMPA is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures with or without secondarily generalized seizures in patients with epilepsy 4 years of age and older. 1.2 Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures FYCOMPA is indicated as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with epilepsy 12 years of age and older.
Dosage forms & strengths
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Dosing in the absence of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers Starting dose: 2 mg once daily orally at bedtime ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) May increase dose based on clinical response and tolerability by increments of 2 mg once daily no more frequently than at weekly intervals ( 2.1 , 2.2 ) Recommended maintenance dose in monotherapy or adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures: 8 mg to 12 mg once daily at bedtime ( 2.1 ) Recommended maintenance dose in adjunctive therapy for primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures: 8 mg once daily at bedtime ( 2.2 ) Measure oral suspension using provided adaptor and dosing syringe ( 2.7 ) D osing in the p resence of c oncomitant moderate or strong CY P3A4 inducers : see section 2.3 Specific Populations Mild and Moderate Hepatic Impairment: Maximum recommended daily dose is 6 mg (mild) and 4 mg (moderate) once daily at bedtime ( 2.4 ) Severe Hepatic Impairment: Not recommended ( 2.4 ) Severe Renal Impairment or on Hemodialysis: Not recommended ( 2.5 ) Elderly: Increase dose no more frequently than every 2 weeks ( 2.6 ) 2.1 Dosage for Partial-Onset Seizures Monotherapy or Adjunctive Therapy The recommended starting dosage of FYCOMPA in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older is 2 mg once daily taken orally at bedtime. Increase dosage no more frequently than at weekly intervals by increments of 2 mg once daily based on individual clinical response and tolerability. The recommended maintenance dose range is 8 mg to 12 mg once daily, although some patients may respond to a dose of 4 mg daily. A dose of 12 mg once daily resulted in somewhat greater reductions in seizure rates than the dose of 8 mg once daily, but with a substantial increase in adverse reactions. Dosage adjustment is recommended with concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducing drugs, which include certain antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. 2.2 Dosage for Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures Adjunctive Therapy The recommended starting dosage of FYCOMPA in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older is 2 mg once daily taken orally at bedtime. Increase dosage no more frequently than at weekly intervals by increments of 2 mg once daily based on individual clinical response and tolerability. The recommended maintenance dose is 8 mg once daily taken at bedtime. Patients who are tolerating FYCOMPA at 8 mg once daily and require further reduction of seizures may benefit from a dose increase up to 12 mg once daily if tolerated. Dosage adjustment is recommended with concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 enzyme inducing drugs, which include certain AEDs [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ]. 2.3 Dosage Modifications with Concomitant Use of Moderate or Strong CYP3A4 Enzyme Inducer s Moderate and strong CYP3A4 inducers, including enzyme-inducing AEDs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine, cause a reduction in FYCOMPA plasma levels [ see Drug Interactions (7.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Therefore, in adults and pediatric patients 4 years of age and older receiving these concomitant enzyme-inducing drugs, the recommended starting dosage of FYCOMPA is 4 mg once daily taken orally at bedtime. Increase dosage by increments of 2 mg once daily based on individual clinical response and tolerability, no more frequently than at weekly intervals. A maintenance dose has not been established in clinical trials. The highest dose studied in patients on concomitant enzyme-inducing AEDs was 12 mg once daily. When moderate or strong CYP3A4 inducers are introduced or withdrawn from a patient’s treatment regimen, the patient should be closely monitored for clinical response and tolerability. Dose adjustment of FYCOMPA may be necessary. 2. 4 Dosage Adjustment in Patients with Hepatic Impairment In patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, the starting dose of FYCOMPA is 2 mg once daily. Increase dosage by increments of 2 mg once daily no more frequently than every 2 weeks. The maximum recommended daily dose is 6 mg for patients with mild hepatic impairment and 4 mg for patients with moderate hepatic impairment. FYCOMPA is not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 2. 5 Dosage Information for Patients with Renal Impairment FYCOMPA can be used in patients with moderate renal impairment with close monitoring. A slower titration may be considered, based on clinical response and tolerability. FYCOMPA is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment or patients undergoing hemodialysis [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2. 6 Dosage Information for Elderly Patients In elderly patients, increase dosage no more frequently than every 2 weeks during titration [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.5) ] . 2.7 Administration of Oral Suspension FYCOMPA oral suspension, 0.5 mg/mL, should be shaken well before every administration. The provided adapter and graduated oral dosing syringe should be used to administer the oral suspension. A household teaspoon or tablespoon is not an adequate measuring device. The adapter, which is supplied in the product carton, should be inserted firmly into the neck of the bottle before use and remain in place for the duration of the usage of the bottle. The dosing syringe should be inserted into the adapter and the dose withdrawn from the inverted bottle. The cap should be replaced after each use. The cap fits properly when the adapter is in place [see Instructions for Use ] . Discard any unused FYCOMPA oral suspension remaining 90 days after first opening the bottle.