Effectiveness and safety of Perampanel in refractory status epilepticus: a case series

Perampanel is a selective non-competitive antagonist of AMPA receptors, and the first agent of this class to become available for the treatment of epilepsy. It could be a useful tool for treatment of refractory status epilepticus (RSE).

We describe a series of eight RSE cases treated with Perampanel.

Perampanel was successful in terminating SE in all the described cases. Only in one patient a severe psychomotor agitation occurred, but without needing PER discontinuation. No other adverse events were observed.

Our case series of eight patients, albeit small, broadens the clinical experiences on the efficacy and safety of PER as a treatment for RSE. It may also support the early use of PER, considering the role of AMPA receptors in sustaining epileptic firing in SE. Further studies are warranted to clarify the potential of Perampanel in the treatment of status epilepticus and, in particular, in RSE.