Zonisamide add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy

Chadwick DW, Marson AG

Published Online:

January 21, 2009

Zonisamide in combination with another antiepileptic drug can reduce seizures, but with some adverse effects.

A third of people with epilepsy become resistant to antiepileptic drugs. Older drugs do not prevent seizures for everyone and they have adverse effects. New drugs have been developed as "add-on" treatments to try and improve this. Zonisamide is one of these. The review of trials found that zonisamide significantly reduced seizure frequency for people with drug-resistant partial epilepsy if zonisamide is added to their usual treatment. There is also an increase in adverse effects, and more research is needed.

Abstract (click to read)

Background:

The majority of people with epilepsy have a good prognosis and their seizures can be well controlled with the use of a single antiepileptic agent, but up to 30% develop refractory epilepsy, especially those with partial seizures. In this review we summarize the current evidence regarding zonisamide, when used as an add-on treatment for drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

Objectives:

To evaluate the effects of zonisamide when used as an add-on treatment for people with drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

Search strategy:

We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register (July 2007), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2007) and MEDLINE (Ovid, 1950 to July 2007). In addition, we contacted Eisai Limited (makers and licensees of zonisamide) and experts in the field to seek any ongoing/unpublished studies.

Selection criteria:

Randomized placebo controlled add-on trials of zonisamide in people with drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

Data collection and analysis:

Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted data. Outcomes were: (1) 50% or greater reduction in total seizure frequency; (2) treatment withdrawal; (3) adverse events. Primary analyses were intention-to-treat. Summary relative risks (RRs) were estimated for each outcome.

Main results:

Four trials (850 participants) were included. The overall RR with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 50% reduction in seizure frequency compared to placebo for 300 to 500 mg/day of zonisamide was 2.44 (95% CI 1.81 to 3.30). The RR for any dose zonisamide (100 to 500 mg per day) was 2.35 (1.74 to 3.17). Two trials provide evidence of a dose response relationship for this outcome. The RR for treatment withdrawal for 300 to 500 mg/day zonisamide compared to placebo was 1.64 (1.20 to 2.26), and for 100 to 500 mg per day was 1.47 (1.07 to 2.02). The CIs of the following adverse effects indicate that they are significantly associated with zonisamide: ataxia 4.50 (99% CI 1.05 to 19.22); dizziness 1.77 (99% CI 1.00 to 3.12); somnolence 1.96 (99% CI 1.12 to 3.44); agitation 2.37 (99% CI 1.00 to 5.64); and anorexia 3.00 (99% CI 1.31 to 6.88).

Authors' conclusions:

Zonisamide has efficacy as an add-on treatment in people with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Minimum effective and maximum tolerated doses cannot be identified. The trials reviewed were of 12 week duration and results cannot be used to confirm longer periods of effectiveness in seizure control. The results cannot be extrapolated to monotherapy or to people with other seizure types or epilepsy syndromes.

This record should be cited as:

Chadwick DW, Marson AG. Zonisamide add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD001416. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001416.pub2

Assessed as up to date:

February 15, 2008

Find the research

Get full text at The Cochrane Library

Primary Review Group:

Epilepsy Group

Health topics:

Neurology > Epilepsy > Drugs for broad populations

Cochrane Summaries^beta

Independent high-quality evidence for health care decision making

Zonisamide add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy

More like this

Copyright © 2011 - The Cochrane Collaboration