Effectiveness and tolerability of zonisamide in children with epilepsy: A retrospective review

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of zonisamide in children with epilepsy.MethodRetrospective case note review of young people (less than 19 years) with epilepsy from three UK tertiary centres who received treatment with zonisamide and were followed up for a minimum of 12 months.ResultsFifty-seven children were included, aged 1.5–18.5 (median, 12) years. Thirty-three (57.9%) patients had generalised epilepsy, 21 (36.8%) focal epilepsy, and three (5.3%) a mixed, generalised and focal, epilepsy. Fifty-six of the 57 patients had been refractory to at least three previous antiepileptic drugs. The maintenance dose of zonisamide was [range (median)] 0.7–14 (5)mg/kg/day. The median duration of treatment for all patients was 12 (range 0.25–35) months. After 2 months of treatment, 51 patients remained on zonisamide, 18 (35.3%) of whom demonstrated a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. At the end of the follow-up period, there was a loss of effect for some patients. Thirteen (25.5%) of the 51 patients continued to demonstrate a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency whilst two who had become seizure-free started having seizures again. Six (11.8%) had