Dr. Miura’s study evaluated the use of zonisamide in children with cryptogenic localization-related epilepsy, as monotherapy in a single daily dose. All patients were naive to anticonvulsant therapy. The study examined both clinical effects and pharmacokinetic effects of zonisamide. Patients ranged in age from infancy (3 months) to 15 years of age, with a mean age of 8 years. All were of normal...

The anticonvulsant topiramate not only decreases ethanol consumption in alcohol dependence (AD) but also may produce several adverse events including cognitive impairment. Zonisamide is a structurally related anticonvulsant that is a promising agent for the treatment of AD and may have greater tolerability than topiramate. This study evaluated the effects of zonisamide (400 mg/d) on alcohol con...

Dr. Ohtahara’s discussion addressed the results of a postmarketing study of adverse events reported by Japanese patients treated with zonisamide monotherapy and polytherapy. The 1512 study participants included both adults and children with partial and generalized seizures and no previous zonisamide treatment. Adverse effects were reported and categorized by each participating physician and ran...

This report highlights zonisamide as a potential cause of serious cutaneous reactions as well as its cross-reactivity with other sulfonamides. Here, we present a case of SJS-TEN due to zonisamide, which was effectively treated with IVIg. Subsequently, the patient was transitioned to levetiracetam for seizure control.

OBJECTIVE To assess the possible effects of topiramate and zonisamide use during pregnancy on fetal growth. METHODS The study population was the singleton liveborns born to women who enrolled in the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry between 1997 and 2012. Data were collected through telephone interviews at enrollment, 7 months of gestation, and postpartum. The prevalence of...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of zonisamide in children with epilepsy. METHOD Retrospective case note review of young people (less than 19 years) with epilepsy from three UK tertiary centres who received treatment with zonisamide and were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. RESULTS Fifty-seven children were included, aged 1.5-18.5 (median, 12) years. Thirty-thre...

OBJECTIVE Approximately one third of epileptic children do not achieve complete seizure improvement. Zonisamide is a new antiepileptic drug which is effective as adjunctive therapy in treatment of intractable partial seizures. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of Zonisamide in epileptic children. MATERIALS & METHODS From November 2011...

AIMS Infantile spasms are usually resistant to conventional antiepileptic drugs. Although adrenocorticotropic hormones or vigabatrin are regarded as standard agents for the treatment of infantile spasms, there are still limitations of their use. We determined the efficacy and tolerability of high-dose zonisamide in patients with recent-onset infantile spasms. METHODS Seventeen patients with i...

BACKGROUND Despite multiple antidepressant options, major depressive disorder (MDD) still faces high non-response rates, eventually requiring anticonvulsant augmentation strategies too. The aim of this study was to explore such a potential role for zonisamide. METHODS A total of 40 MDD outpatients diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition crite...

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders, affecting about 50 million people around the world. It is recognized that around 50% of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy become seizure-free with the first drug treatment, so the choice of first antiepileptic drug is crucial. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of zonisamide as monotherapy for partial seizures, with special...