Zonisamide – a review of experience and use in partial seizures

Zonisamide is a modern antiepileptic drug (AED) that is distinguished from other AEDs by its unique structure and broad mechanistic profile. Preclinical studies have reported a range of potential mechanisms of action for zonisamide, such as blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, reduction of T-type calcium channel currents, and enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibition, which are indicative of its broad antiseizure effects. Zonisamide has a favorable linear pharmacokinetic profile, a long half-life, and a low incidence of protein-binding interactions with other AEDs. Hepatically metabolized through the cytochrome P450 pathway, zonisamide does not induce its own metabolism or liver enzymes. For more than 2 decades, zonisamide has been extensively used as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy for the treatment of partial and generalized seizures in pediatric and adult patients in Japan. Zonisamide was approved in the USA in 2000 as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in adults. With over 2 million patient-years of exposure internationally, zonisamide has demonstrated safety and efficacy against a multitude of epilepsy and seizure types, including both partial and generalized seizures. This review focuses on the experience and use of zonisamide in partial seizures, as well as possible new uses for zonisamide.