Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Zonisamide Monotherapy in Epilepsy Patients |
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Authors: | Sung-Pa Park Sun-Young Kim Yang-Ha Hwang Ho-Won Lee Chung-Kyu Suh and Soon-Hak Kwon |
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Institution: | Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.;aDepartment of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. |
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Abstract: | Background and purposeZonisamide (ZNS) is a useful antiepileptic drug with a broad therapeutic spectrum. However, there is limited information on the long-term use of ZNS as a monotherapy. This study investigated the long-term effects of ZNS as a monotherapy for the treatment of epilepsy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the records of epilepsy patients treated with ZNS monotherapy at our clinic. We identified outcomes for patients treated with ZNS monotherapy for a minimum of 6 months. Efficacy was quantified as the percentage change in seizure frequency, and safety was assessed by the frequency and types of adverse events.ResultsSixty patients who received ZNS for a minimum of 6 months were included. The mean duration of treatment was 19.8 months (range, 6-37 months), and the mean ZNS dosage was 255 mg/day (range, 100-500 mg/day). Twenty-seven patients (45%) were seizure-free, and an additional 20 patients (33%) had above 50% seizure frequency reduction at the last follow-up visit. Partial seizures with or without secondary generalization and generalized seizures were well controlled by ZNS, whereas complex partial seizures were not. Forty-eight patients (80%) reported mild-to-moderate adverse events, including memory loss (35%), attention deficit (27%), and weight loss (20%).ConclusionsLong-term ZNS monotherapy is effective at treating a broad spectrum of seizure disorders, except complex partial seizures. However, a specific adverse event, such as cognitive impairment, is common and long-lasting. |
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Keywords: | Efficacy Epilepsy Long-term Monotherapy Safety Zonisamide |
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