Generic Name: Fycompa (perampanel)
Fycompa Reviews
For Epilepsy "My daughter is 30 years old and had her first seizure at 7 years old due to a fever. She has been on multiple meds through the years and has never stopped them for long. Onfi stopped them, but then came the side effects. We stopped that. Eight months ago, she started having drop seizures. Very scary. Epileptologist put her on Fycompa 6 weeks ago. And yep, the effects started. Zombie acting, can't focus or remember, clumsy. The stomach issues and being very aggressive and hostile. I can't take the chance of her getting worse and suicidal. Will try to lower until off. She only takes 1 pill, low dose. Prayers for everyone."
For Epilepsy "This is a medication which I take for myself. Good points: It's very good at managing my form of epilepsy. My seizures are reduced remarkably, in direct relation to taking Fycompa. Bad points: I am having daily thoughts about suicide, I've never had this before taking Fycompa. And I've been on many Anti-Epileptic Medicines. This morning I was really suicidal. At a guess I'm one of those unlucky individuals who have increased psychiatric and behavioural problems in direct relation to this medicine. Now I'm in the position of making a decision about whether or not to continue using Fycompa and I'm having to make this very difficult decision with psychiatric issues."
For Epilepsy "I took my first dose and had three seizures later that night in my sleep. My doctor didn't tell me that it could cause seizures, if he stated that, there is no way I would have agreed to try it. My husband and I agreed that there's no way I'm taking that ever again. I've been taking Dilantin since I was 13 and will stick with it, there is no way my doctor will get me to try anything else new after this experience. That stuff is not for me."
For Seizures "My boyfriend started this medication for better seizure control. He has had personality changes, confusion, aggression, hostility, delusions, depression, and severe thought problems that caused him to have antipsychotic and antidepressant medication increased because of existing bipolar disorder. Our relationship is about over because of this medication. We will see the neurologist ASAP to see if he can get off this medicine. Scared because it's addictive. He had similar reactions to Vimpat with suicidal thoughts."
For Epilepsy "I have spent about 1 yr on this medication. No medication has ever worked for me before, so this was a first. I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Anyway, my biggest issues are: vertigo, nausea after every meal and nap, upset stomach, heartburn, drunk talking, unable to form words, unable to concentrate... sleep a lot. I first also gained 30 lbs but now I’m heading in the other direction because I can barely tolerate food with my stomach. My doctor won’t listen to me and says that there’s no more selection. I hate this medication! I want my life back!"
For Seizures "Fycompa caused my son to go into ketoacidosis with a 780 blood sugar. He was almost comatose. He is not diabetic. Epileptologist Benbadis at Tampa General refused to believe it could be Fycompa and refused to assist with weaning. We weaned Fycompa without assistance, and his blood sugar immediately regulated. He continues to not be diabetic. I do not recommend Fycompa. It is a black box drug, and big drug companies are masking the severity of the side effects."
For Epilepsy "This was by far the worst drug that I've taken in my entire life. I thought Keppra was bad because of the mood swings, but this drug was terrible for me. It made me a salty, unhappy person, and that's unhealthy for you and others as well."
For Seizures "I have been on Fycompa now for 8 weeks. Prior to that, I was having seizure clusters almost every other day. Two were so bad I ended up in Trauma with a skull fracture and a broken nose and cheekbone. I have noticed some minor mood swings, but nothing serious. I have also noticed an increase in my appetite. I also take Keppra and Lamictal, so I am not sure if that makes it better. Just happy I haven't had any seizures in 7 weeks and counting."
For Epilepsy "My daughter has had refractory epilepsy for 20 years. She tried this drug in addition to the Vimpat and Topamax she is already taking. Huge mistake! Week 2, she became catatonic, delusional, and terrified. Her dad, brother, and I helped her through it. Called her neurologist and stopped the drug immediately. We are on day one without the Fycompa, our morning was consumed with a psychotic episode, but after an hour and a half, she came around. Lucky for her, she doesn't remember much, if anything, of these events. I highly recommend you do your research before considering this drug. In my opinion, it shouldn't be on the market."
For Epilepsy "My husband has been taking Gabapentin and Vimpat for a long time, yet still having seizures regularly. His doctor added Fycompa a little over a month ago for his temporal lobe seizures. Although Fycompa is definitely helping with his seizures, his personality and mental state have changed so much. He's very irritable and angry about everything and everyone. He's considered ending his life because he hates the person he's become. Yet, he didn't want to stop taking it because his seizures had diminished dramatically. Our daughter begged him tonight to stop taking it because she is so worried about him, as am I. That's what finally got his attention. He has decided to stop the Fycompa. We're hoping things get better very soon."
For Epilepsy "In short term, it made me crazy! At first, it controlled my seizures, which had been under control, but I had some breakthrough seizures. I had a complete personality change. Didn't trust anyone. Pretty much 90% of the side effects that were on the warnings. After I read the pharmaceutical information, I wondered how the FDA approved this drug. And when I was having to be weaned off the drug, it was hell. Hallucinations, shakes, sweating. I assume what a drug addict would go through. I can't believe I am the only person who has experienced this. After this, I of course was given another medication. Ever since I was given this medication, I have had memory loss. My seizures have increased. Were over 6 years under control."
For Epilepsy "Female, 27 yo. Fycompa is the only medication that controls my epilepsy. However, I’ve had the most terrible stomach problems from Fycompa 8 mg once a day. I can’t go a day without Tums, omeprazole, and famotidine. Doctors went ahead and gave me ondansetron as well. I’m pretty sure this medication has screwed up my stomach. Be forewarned that although it works, it’s terrible on your stomach. Pros: controls epilepsy. Cons: moody, sour stomach, throwing up, dizzy, nauseous, sweaty, weight gain, heartburn, lack of coordination (I walk like I’m drunk sometimes), can’t stop this med randomly as it causes worse seizures afterward, waking up at 5-6 am from nausea."
For Seizures "Having tried 7 other medications, none of which controlled my seizures, I was happily surprised that a dose of 4 mg of Fycompa does. More than 12 months and no seizures. Luckily, I have not experienced suicidal thoughts. The only side effects I experience are a little aggression and tiredness, but only very mild."
"I am taking 2 mg daily of Fycompa at night for Primary Orthostatic Tremor and have achieved complete control of my symptoms (tremors in the legs when standing still and tremor is the arms). I have had no adverse effects. I feel like a normal person again. I have gotten my life back again. I stopped taking Clonazepam during the day and also stopped taking Requip that was not helping much at all. I still take 0.5 mg of Clonazepam at night when I go to bed which helps to control my restless legs. This medication is like a miracle for me."
For Seizures "My daughter takes fycompa, keppra, tegretol, epilim, since being on fycompa her personality has changed and has frequent bowel motions, the seizures have improved but sometimes feel she would be better having more seizures and having her old personality back! Don’t like this drug!"
For Epilepsy "Have been on Fycompa for over two months. Has not stopped the seizures at all,even with increased dosage, and I have a constant HORRIBLE headache!!!!! I have a lot of trouble walking after taking it so take it at night. Will be asking my Neurologist to wean me off this one!"
For Epilepsy "Starting any new seizure med to me is just straight-up scary. I think they are running out of drugs to try. So, I have to admit I was a bit worried when I heard the side effects. They have me listed as allergic to Depakote, Vimpat, and Keppra, but honestly, it was how nasty the side effects were. My personality hasn't changed at all on this drug. However, I never was an 'active' sleeper, which is what I turned into for a while. It seems to be slowly going away, but it was very weird waking up because I was dreaming I was swimming and hit the wall with my foot. As many people with epilepsy know, not a horrible side effect. I was having petite mals daily and grand mals probably weekly. Since I started Fycompa, I have had two petite mal seizures."
For Epilepsy "I have JME ( juvenile myclonic epilepsy). My neurologist switched me from lamictal to fycompa. My husband and I were told fycompa was best for my JME. Within 2 weeks my personality changed. I got all the side effects. I have never been in trouble but ended up doing 75 hours in jail cause of it. Luckily I got a doctor who took me off it ASAP and on depakote. I had used depakote about 20 years ago. My husband still loves me and things are getting back on track for us. Like the previous reviewer stated their relationship is shaky due to the drug. I hate fycompa."
For Seizures "Took fycompa only for a month, just stopped taking it. I hate it, I take it at night before bed. Yet during the day I feel like complete garbage the whole day! Dizzy and feeling totally off felt so bad while taking it that I kept thinking a seizure is coming on but didn't. Haven't had a seizure while on it but I definitely am not continuing to take it and would not recommend it."
For Epilepsy "Fycompa was the magic pill as I called it. When I first found out I had epilepsy I tried 5 different dosages and mixes of medication. My doctor said this was a newer pill. I have 8mg of Fycoma and 600mg of Lamictal and ever since then I haven’t had a seizure in 2 years."
For Epilepsy "I have been on this medication since the study for it started. Medicaid covers it totally because I am on Disabilty. I was taking three 4mg pills. I now take 12mg pills. But in my experience it turns me into a zombie so take it only after I am in bed. 1-2 hours after I take my other meds or I get goofy as hell and my partner says I slur like a very drunk person. But say I am asleep at midnight. If I wake up before 11:00 am I will be groggy for about 2 hours unless I have breakfast."
For Epilepsy "Fycompa worked decently on the seizures however it destroyed my memory. I had no idea I was forgetting things, it was people around me who noticed and it was bad. Memory problems ceased when I stopped taking the Fycompa."
For Epilepsy "I have generalized epilepsy and very hard to control ... fycompa was working like the magical drug for the first 2 months then all the side effects hit me like a rock , the first was anger I would get mad and irritated very easy which wasn't like me and personality change is a big one ... being someone your not.. all the bad side effects I got . but seizure free now for a year.."
For Seizures "Fycoma has reduced the number of seizures significantly but find I'm having a lot of joint aches. My knuckles are miserable and tight. I tried to ensure that I wasn't clenching my fists but when I tried to make sure my hand was flat, I had aches that way as well. I also feel aches in my leg, back and hips over night. I'm up to 8 mg at night at I have noticed that it's gotten worse over time. But, again, the seizures have decreased but the aches are miserable."
For Seizures "My husband takes this Fycompa along with Zonegran and Lamictal. He is slowly coming off the Zonegran since starting. Hasn't had a seizure since he started 2 months ago but he has turned into the biggest Ass you have ever met. Told him the other night I think I might prefer the seizures over his personality change. I hope this levels out soon. I told him we should call it Fightcompa!"
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