Potential efficacy of zonisamide in refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: retrospective evidence from an Irish compassionate-use case series

To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of zonisamide as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven patients with refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, commenced on a compassionate-use basis on zonisamide as adju...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Irish medical journal 2007-04, Vol.100 (4), p.431-433
Main Authors: O'Rourke, D, Flynn, C, White, M, Doherty, C, Delanty, N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Anticonvulsants - pharmacology
Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use
Empathy
Female
Humans
Ireland
Isoxazoles - pharmacology
Isoxazoles - therapeutic use
Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile - drug therapy
Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile - physiopathology
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of zonisamide as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of seven patients with refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, commenced on a compassionate-use basis on zonisamide as adjunctive treatment between October 2001 and September 2004. We found significant response rates (>50% reduction in seizure frequency) of 83.3%, 100% and 100% for generalised convulsions, myoclonus, and absence seizures respectively. These results were sustained over more prolonged follow-up in five of seven patients, with one patient improving further over time. Two patients became seizure free with the introduction of zonisamide. Two patients were able to reduce the number of anti-epileptic medications and maintain >75% and 100% reduction in seizure frequency respectively. Four patients initially had minor side-effects that resolved during the maintenance period. In this retrospective study, zonisamide was effective and well-tolerated as adjunctive therapy in patients with refractory juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.
ISSN:0332-3102