About 70 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from
epilepsy. Despite a large variety of old and new
antiepileptic drugs on the market, about 30% of people with
epilepsy do not become seizure-free with medical treatment. This is a major individual and public health burden. Most of these difficult-to-treat patients are having
focal seizures.
Zonisamide is effective against
focal seizures in adults and children and, thus, a therapeutic option for such patients. Its safety profile needs special attention. Areas covered: Herein, the authors discuss the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and the adverse effects of
zonisamide. The article is derived from clinical trial data, long-term studies, meta-analyses, review articles, text books, webpages, and official license information. Expert opinion:
Zonisamide has proven to be efficacious in
focal epilepsy in children and adults, although it is not more effective than
carbamazepine or other
antiepileptic drugs. It is also effective in
generalized epilepsy and in several other conditions of the CNS. Its safety profile may prevent it from becoming a first-line
drug for
focal epilepsy or any other indication.