Zonisamide for the treatment of myoclonic seizures in progressive myoclonic epilepsy: an open-label study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To examine the safety and efficacy of zonisamide in treating myoclonic seizures associated with progressive myoclonic epilepsy (PME), in an open-label setting.

METHODS:

Thirty patients with refractory PME (aged > or = 5 years), who were taking up to three antiepileptic drugs, received adjunctive zonisamide (< or = 6 mg/kg/day) therapy for 16 weeks. Myoclonic seizures were recorded daily over a 24-hour period or in 10-minute epochs in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Safety was assessed via adverse events (AEs); efficacy was measured by the percentage of patients experiencing a > or = 50% decrease in myoclonic seizure frequency from baseline.

RESULTS:

Treatment-related AEs, experienced by 53% (n = 16/30) of patients, led to five patients discontinuing zonisamide. The most common AEs were decreased appetite, somnolence, and asthenia. Overall, 36% of patients (n = 10/28) had a > or = 50% reduction in myoclonic seizure frequency.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that zonisamide may be useful in the treatment of patients with PME. However, due to the size and open-label character of this study, further research is required.

• Authors: David G Vossler, Joan A Conry, Jerome V Murphy, ZNS-502/505 PME Study Group
• Journal: Epileptic disorders : international epilepsy journal with videotape (Epileptic Disord) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 31-4 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 1294-9361 [Print] France
• PMID: 18367429 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Isoxazoles
• Zonisamide

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anticonvulsants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Female
• Humans
• Isoxazoles (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive (drug therapy)
• Seizures (drug therapy)
• Zonisamide