Long-term efficacy and safety of monotherapy and adjunctive therapy with zonisamide.
The long-term effects of zonisamide as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy were investigated in patients with seizure disorders. One hundred twelve adult neurology patients treated with zonisamide were retrospectively identified through a chart review; 90 patients (n=45 monotherapy, n=45 adjunctive therapy) who received zonisamide for 3 months were included in the efficacy-evaluable population, and all 112 patients were included in the safety population. The average duration of treatment was 24.3 months (range, 3-46 months), and the average zonisamide dosage was 324 mg/day (range, 100-1000 mg/day). Thirty-eight of 90 patients (42%; n=25 monotherapy, n=13 adjunctive therapy) were seizure-free, and an additional 26 patients (29%; n=9 monotherapy, n=17 adjunctive therapy) had 50% seizure frequency reduction at the last follow-up visit. Thirty of 112 patients (27%) reported mild to moderate adverse events, such as weight loss (5.4%), fatigue (4.5%), and sedation (2.7%). Zonisamide, as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, was a safe, effective, and well-tolerated long-term treatment option in patients with various seizure types.
Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts, Hopedale, MA, USA. WATMD1945@aol.com
William A
WA
Tosches
Jonathan
J
Tisdell
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078305:Zonisamide
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide