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Use of zonisamide in pediatric patients

Cesar C Santos1, Teresa Brotherton

  • 1Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.

Pediatric Neurology
|May 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Zonisamide effectively treated seizures in pediatric and adolescent patients, with many showing significant improvement. However, adverse events were common, leading some to discontinue treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Zonisamide is an antiepilepsy drug approved for adults with partial seizures.
  • Limited US data exists on zonisamide use in pediatric epilepsy patients.
  • Japanese studies suggest efficacy and safety in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate zonisamide's efficacy and safety in US pediatric and adolescent epilepsy patients.
  • To determine appropriate dosing for this population.
  • To assess response rates in patients with refractory epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 50 pediatric patients (9 months to 20 years).
  • Evaluation of demographic data, seizure types, dosage, response, and adverse events.
  • Analysis of concurrent medications and reasons for discontinuation.

Main Results:

  • 8 patients achieved seizure freedom; 11 showed >=50% seizure control improvement.
  • 11 of 28 patients with refractory epilepsy (on >=6 AEDs) improved.
  • 31 patients experienced adverse events; 14 discontinued zonisamide due to them.

Conclusions:

  • Zonisamide demonstrates efficacy in treating pediatric and adolescent epilepsy, including refractory cases.
  • Adverse events are a significant concern, necessitating careful monitoring.
  • Further research is needed to optimize zonisamide use in pediatric populations.

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