title: Zonisamide: review of its use in epilepsy therapy.
abstract: Zonisamide is an antiepileptic drug used as adjunctive therapy for refractory partial seizures in adults. Because of the multiple mechanisms of action, it shows a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity and has been effective in several types of seizures, including partial and generalized seizures, tonic-clonic seizures and absence seizures in patients unresponsive to other anticonvulsants. Myoclonic epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and infantile spasms have also been treated effectively with zonisamide. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated additional potential for therapeutic use in neuropathic pain, bipolar disorder, migraine, obesity, eating disorders and Parkinson's disease. Despite adverse events, zonisamide is relatively safe and well tolerated in patients, and shows low discontinuation rate. It has a good pharmacokinetic profile and a low drug interaction potential. Zonisamide is considered as a drug that effectively reduces the frequency of partial seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, School of Medicine and Dentistry, 575 Elmwood Ave., Box EHSC, New York 14642, USA. grazyna_zareba@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zareba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide