Back to Journals » Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment » Volume 5

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

Authors Zaccara G, Specchio LM

Published 28 April 2009 Volume 2009:5 Pages 249—259

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S4063

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Gaetano Zaccara1, Luigi M Specchio2

1Unit of Neurology, Palagi Hospital, Firenze, Italy; 2University of Foggia, Ospedali Riuniti, Foggia, Italy

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.

Keywords: antiepileptic drugs, zonisamide, long-term treatment, review, epilepsy

Creative Commons License © 2009 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.