Long-term safety and effectiveness of zonisamide in the treatment of epilepsy: a review of the literature.

Article Details

Citation

Zaccara G, Specchio LM

Long-term safety and effectiveness of zonisamide in the treatment of epilepsy: a review of the literature.

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2009;5:249-59. Epub 2009 May 20.

PubMed ID
19557119 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Zonisamide (ZNS) efficacy and safety in epilepsy have been demonstrated in four double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. In the present article, we examined all long-term studies performed with this drug. Nine open-label studies, in which ZNS had been administered as an add-on or as monotherapy to epileptic patients for at least 6 months, were selected for our analysis. Four outcome measures were searched. Retention of this drug after 1 year varied between 45% and 65%. The percentages of patients achieving a >/=50% seizure reduction, with respect to baseline, ranged between 37% and 65%. In patients with drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, the percentage of patients reaching a 6-month seizure freedom period was 9%. The percentages of patients who discontinued the experimental drug due to adverse effects ranged between 4% and 24%. Somnolence and dizziness were the most frequently reported adverse effects. Long-term studies demonstrate that ZNS has a good efficacy and tolerability profile, and support its use as adjunctive therapy for epileptic patients.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 1 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 11 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 2 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 3 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 4 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 5 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel protein type 9 subunit alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel subunit beta-1ProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel subunit beta-2ProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel subunit beta-3ProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideSodium channel subunit beta-4ProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideVoltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1GProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideVoltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1HProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
ZonisamideVoltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1IProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
ZonisamideCytochrome P450 3A4ProteinHumans
Unknown
Substrate
Details