Zonisamide


Zonisamide, sold under the brand name Zonegran among others, is a medication used to treat the symptoms of epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Chemically it is a sulfonamide. It serves as an anticonvulsant used primarily as an adjunctive therapy in adults with Parkinson's disease, partial-onset seizures; infantile spasm, mixed seizure types of Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, myoclonic and generalized tonic clonic seizure. Despite this it is also sometimes used as a monotherapy for partial-onset seizures.
In 2020, it was the 276th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.

Medical uses

Epilepsy

Zonisamide is approved in the United States, and United Kingdom for adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in adults and Japan for both adjunctive and monotherapy for partial seizures, generalized and combined seizures. In Australia it is marketed as both an adjunctive therapy and monotherapy for partial seizures only.

Parkinson's disease

It has been approved for the treatment of the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, as an adjunct to levodopa, in a few countries such as Japan. In Japan, zonisamide has been used as an adjunct to levodopa treatment since 2009. In addition, there is clinical evidence that zonisamide in combination with levodopa control of motor symptoms of PD but evidence for the treatment of the non motor symptoms of PD lacking.

Adverse effects

Adverse effects by incidence:
Very common adverse effects include:
Common adverse effects include:
Incidence unknown

Interactions

Zonisamide and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as topiramate, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide have been known to interfere with amobarbital, which has led to inadequate anesthetization during the Wada test. Zonisamide may also interact with other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to increase the potential for metabolic acidosis.
Additionally, the metabolism of zonisamide is inhibited by ketoconazole, ciclosporin, miconazole, fluconazole and carbamazepine due to their effects on the CYP3A4 enzyme.
Zonisamide is not known to inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes when present at therapeutic concentrations.

Mechanism of action

Zonisamide is an antiseizure drug chemically classified as a sulfonamide and unrelated to other antiseizure agents. The precise mechanism by which zonisamide exerts its antiseizure effect is unknown, although it is believed that the drug blocks sodium and T-type calcium channels, which leads to the suppression of neuronal hypersynchronization. It is also known to be a weak carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. In addition, zonisamide modulates GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. More recently, it has also been demonstrated to positively modulate cerebral glycine receptors.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Variable, yet relatively rapid rate of absorption with a time to peak concentration of 2.8–3.9 hours. Bioavailability is close to 100% and food has no effect on the bioavailability of zonisamide but may affect the rate of absorption.

Metabolism

Zonisamide is metabolized mostly by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme, but also CYP3A7 and CYP3A5, to 2--phenol via reductive cleavage of the 1,2-benzisoxazole ring.

History

Zonisamide was discovered by Uno and colleagues in 1972 and launched by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma in 1989 as Excegran in Japan. It was marketed by Élan in the United States starting in 2000 as Zonegran, before Élan transferred their interests in zonisamide to Eisai Co., Ltd. in 2004. Eisai also markets Zonegran in Asia and Europe.

Research

Tardive dyskinesia

In an open-label trial zonisamide attenuated the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.

Obesity

It has also been studied for obesity with significant positive effects on body weight loss and there are three ongoing clinical trials for this indication. It was to be sold, when combined with bupropion, under the brand name Empatic, until its development was discontinued.

Migraine

Zonisamide has been studied for and used as a migraine preventative medication, when topiramate is either ineffective or cannot be continued due to side effects.

Bipolar depression

It has also been used off-label by psychiatrists as a mood stabilizer to treat bipolar depression.