Issues for surgery
Precipitation of rebound seizures or status epilepticus if omitted.
Advice in the perioperative period
Elective and emergency surgery
Continue.
Patients should be advised to take their regular medications on the day of surgery.
Abrupt withdrawal of any anticonvulsant drug should be avoided.
Confirm with the patient if they need to be maintained on a specific manufacturer’s product (see Further information).
Post-operative advice
Regular dosing of the patient’s usual oral medication should be re-established as early as possible post-operatively.
Perampanel is only available as oral preparations. If patients cannot resume their usual oral medication post-operatively, the advice of a neurologist should be sought to determine the most appropriate antiepileptic preparation, dose, route and frequency to be used.
Interactions with common anaesthetic agents
For general information regarding the use of anaesthetic agents in patients with epilepsy see Antiepileptics overview.
Central Nervous System (CNS) depression
Also see Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period.
Perampanel has CNS depressant effects which may be additive with other medicines that also have CNS depressant effects such as:
- benzodiazepines
- inhalational anaesthetics and intravenous anaesthetics
- local anaesthetics
- opioids*
*NB: Tramadol should be avoided in patients with a history of epilepsy due to an increase in seizure risk.
Consult British National Formulary for available drugs in each class.
Midazolam
The manufacturers note perampanel 6mg daily decreased the area under curve for midazolam by 13% (due to perampanel effects on CYP3A substrates), whilst this is unlikely to be clinically significant, they advise a larger decrease in midazolam exposure cannot be ruled out with higher perampanel doses.
Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period
Central Nervous System (CNS) depression
Also see Interactions with common anaesthetic agents for information on opioids.
Perampanel has CNS depressant effects which may be additive with antiemetics that also have CNS depressant effects such as cyclizine, droperidol and prochlorperazine (see Antiepileptics overview).
Antimicrobials
Clarithromycin is predicted to slightly increase the exposure to perampanel. Until more is known monitor for perampanel adverse effects (dizziness, blurred vision, gait disturbances) and reduce the dose of perampanel according to clinical need.
Whilst single surgical prophylactic doses should not pose a problem, continued post-operative treatment may require close monitoring. Consult current product literature.
Further information
MHRA/CHM Advice: Antiepileptic Drugs: updated advice on switching between different manufacturer’s products (November 2017)
Perampanel is a category 2 antiepileptic, hence the need for continued supply of a particular manufacturer’s product should be based on clinical judgement and consultation with the patient and/or carer taking into account factors such as seizure frequency treatment history, and potential implications to the patient having a breakthrough seizure. Non-clinical factors such as patient anxiety, confusion, potential for dosing errors should also be considered. For more information see Antiepileptics overview.
References
Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed 30th June 2019]
Perks A, Cheema S, Mohanraj R. Anaesthesia and epilepsy. BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2012; 108(4):562-571
Carter EL, Adapa RM. Adult epilepsy and anaesthesia. BJA Education. 2015; 15(3):111-117
Summary of Product Characteristics – Fycompa® (perampanel) 10mg film-coated tablets. Eisai Ltd. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 20/07/2019 [date of revision of the text March 2019]
Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 30th September 2019]