Zonisamide: a review of its use as adjunctive therapy in the management of partial seizures in pediatric patients aged ≥6 years.

Abstract

Oral zonisamide (Zonegran®) is a benzisoxazole derivative chemically unrelated to other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It is approved in the EU as an adjunct to other AEDs in the treatment of pediatric patients aged ≥6 years with partial seizures, with or without secondary generalization. In a randomized, double-blind, multinational, phase III study in pediatric patients aged 6-17 years with partial seizures, the proportion of patients achieving a ≥50 % reduction from baseline in seizure frequency per 28 days during the maintenance treatment period was significantly higher with adjunctive therapy with zonisamide than placebo. The antiepileptic efficacy of zonisamide was sustained during a 59-week extension study in this patient population. Zonisamide was generally well tolerated in these studies, with the majority of adverse events being mild or moderate in severity. Thus, oral zonisamide as an adjunctive therapy to other AEDs provides a useful option in the treatment of pediatric patients aged ≥6 years with partial seizures.

• Authors: Sheridan M Hoy
• Journal: Paediatric drugs (Paediatr Drugs) Vol. 16 Issue 3 Pg. 235-46 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1179-2019 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 24668240 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Isoxazoles
• Zonisamide

Topics

• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Epilepsies, Partial (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Isoxazoles (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome
• Zonisamide