title: Zonisamide in the management of epilepsy in the elderly.
abstract: Zonisamide (ZNS), a second-generation antiepileptic drug, indicated as add-on treatment of focal epilepsy, has been recently approved as monotherapy for the treatment of partial seizures in adults affected by newly diagnosed epilepsy in Europe. Evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs in the elderly is still lacking as these patients are frequently excluded from clinical trials. Here, a comprehensive overview of available data regarding the use of ZNS in the treatment of epilepsy in elderly people is provided. In a pooled analysis conducted in patients aged ≥65 years, no new/unexpected safety findings have emerged. Few data from uncontrolled investigations suggest that ZNS may be effective and well tolerated when administered as monotherapy or adjunctive antiepileptic treatment in the elderly. However, evidence from these observational studies is less than satisfactory, and randomized controlled trials focused on these patients are still needed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy ; Neurophysiopathology Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romigi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Eti A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Femia
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Centre & Antiepileptic Drugs, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fattore
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitrani
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Gennaro
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Centre & Antiepileptic Drugs, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078305:Zonisamide
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide
keywords: efficacy; elderly; epilepsy; safety; zonisamide