For use as adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy.
Zonisamide binds to sodium channels and voltage sensitive calcium channels, which suppresses neuronal depolarization and hypersynchronization. Zonisamide also inhibits carbonic anhydrase to a weaker extent, but such an effect is not thought to contribute substantially to the drug's anticonvulsant activity.
Symptoms of overdose include diminished breathing, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and slow heartbeat.
Variable, yet relatively rapid rate of absorption with a time to peak concentration of 2.8-3.9 hours. Food has no effect on the bioavailability of zonisamide.
63 hours
Zonisamide is excreted primarily in urine as parent drug and as the glucuronide of a metabolite.
* 1.45 L/kg
* 0.30 - 0.35 mL/min/kg [patients not receiving enzyme-inducing antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs)] * 0.35 - 0.5 mL/min/kg [Concomitant administration of phenytoin and carbamazepine]