What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Bipolar disorder
-Depression
-Frequently drink alcohol
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Mental health conditions
-Substance use disorder
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to perampanel, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
-Alcohol
-Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam
-Certain antihistamines
-Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline or trazodone
-Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole
-Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine, eslicarbazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate
-Levonorgestrel hormones
-Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
-Medications that help you fall asleep
-Medications that relax muscles
-Opioids for pain or cough
-Phenothiazines, such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-Rifampin
-St. John's Wort
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain. Carry a card that describes your condition. List the medications and doses you take on the card.
It is important to take this medication exactly as directed. When first starting treatment, your dose will need to be adjusted slowly. It may take weeks or months before your dose is stable. You should contact your care team if your seizures get worse or if you have any new types of seizures. Do not stop taking this medication unless instructed by your care team. Stopping your medication suddenly can increase your seizures or their severity.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Estrogen and/or progestin hormones may not work as well while you are taking this medication. If you are using this medication for contraception, talk to your care team about using a second type of contraception. A barrier contraceptive, such as a condom or diaphragm, is recommended.
Watch for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. This includes sudden changes in mood, behaviors, or thoughts. These changes can happen at any time but are more common in the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose. Call your care team right away if you experience these thoughts or worsening depression.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medicine can cause serious mental health problems. Patients of all ages and their families should watch for changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Some symptoms to watch for are depression, thoughts of suicide, aggressive behavior, wanting to hurt others, hostility, anger, anxiety, irritability, being suspicious or distrustful, or any unusual or extreme changes in behavior or mood. Call your healthcare provider right away for new or worsening mental problems. Call your healthcare provider as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.