Zonisamide(zoh niss’ ah myde)
Zonegran
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Class
Anticonvulsant
Therapeutic Actions
Mechanism of action not fully understood; inhibits voltage-sensitive sodium and calcium channels, stabilizing the neuronal membrane and modulating calcium-dependent presynaptic release of excitatory amino acids; may also have dopaminergic effects.
Indications
Adjuvant therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with lactation, history of sulfonamide hypersensitivity.
Use cautiously with impaired hepatic, renal, or cardiac function; pregnancy.
Available Forms
Capsules—25, 50, 100 mg
Dosages
Adults
Initial dose, 100 mg PO daily as a single dose—not divided—subsequent doses can be divided; may increase by 100 mg/day every 2 wk to achieve control.
Pediatric patients
Not recommended in patients younger than 16 yr.
Patients with renal impairment
Do not use in patients with a glomerular filtration rate of less than 50 mL/min.
Pharmacokinetics
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