Zonegran® (Zonisamide) Well Tolerated in Long-term Treatment of Children with Partial Epilepsy

Zonegran® (Zonisamide) Well Tolerated inZonegran® (Zonisamide) Well Tolerated in Long-term Treatment of Children with Partial Epilepsy PR Newswire HATFIELD, England, April 22, 2014 ®Zonegran (zonisamide) is well tolerated and efficacious when used as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment for partial epilepsy, with or without secondary generalisation, in children aged between 6-17 years for at least one year, according to the results of a new study published today in Epilepsia. The results of this study also showed that zonisamide was not associated with any unexpected safety issues or detrimental effects on children's growth [1]and development. Zonisamide is a second generation anti-epileptic drug (AED) with multiple mechanisms of action and a chemical structure [2]unrelated to any other AEDs. It is estimated that there are approximately 0.9 million children and [3]adolescents living with active epilepsy in Europe. Epilepsy in children often presents major challenges such as developmental and behavioural problems, resulting in educational underachievement and a lack of self- esteem. These issues, which are frequently manifested in an attention deficit disorder, withdrawal, anxiety or depression, have a negative impact [4]on both the child and their family. "Unfortunately, more than a fourth of children with epilepsy remain refractory to treatment," pointed out Professor Renzo Guerrini from the Children's Hospital Anna Meyer-University of Florence, Italy.