Fycompa

Fycompa is the brand name for perampanel, a prescription antiepileptic drug developed by Eisai Co. It is a selective, non-competitive antagonist of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, reducing excitatory neurotransmission in the brain to help prevent seizures.

It is approved as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures in patients aged 12 years and older. In some regulatory regions, indications extend to other seizure types or to younger children, reflecting differing regional approvals for perampanel.

Fycompa is taken orally, available as tablets in several strengths and as an oral suspension. The typical start is 2 mg once daily at bedtime, with weekly increases of 2 mg until a target daily dose of 8–12 mg is reached; the maximum recommended dose is 12 mg per day. Dosing may be adjusted for hepatic impairment, and interactions with other antiseizure medicines can affect perampanel levels. Strong CYP3A4 inducers can lower its levels, while inhibitors can raise them, necessitating dose adjustments.

Common adverse effects include dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, gait disturbance, and headache. Psychiatric and behavioral effects such as irritability, aggression, mood changes, and agitation have been reported; there is also a potential risk of suicidality. Patients and caregivers should monitor for changes in mood or behavior and seek medical advice if concerns arise. Fycompa is generally not recommended during pregnancy; use of contraception is advised for people who could become pregnant.

Pharmacologically, perampanel is metabolized primarily in the liver via CYP3A4 and has a relatively long half-life, supporting once-daily dosing. It was approved in the United States in 2012 and is marketed worldwide for certain epilepsy indications.