zonisamide (Zonegran)

following an abbreviated submission

zonisamide (Zonegran®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland.

Indication under review: as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adolescents, and children aged 6 years and above.

SMC restriction: on advice from specialists (paediatric neurologists or paediatricians with an expertise in epilepsy).

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has previously accepted zonisamide for restricted use in adult patients with partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation.  It was restricted to initiation by physicians with appropriate experience in the treatment of epilepsy and should be used principally in patients who have not benefited from treatment with an older anti-convulsant drug such as carbamazepine or sodium valproate, or for whom these drugs are unsuitable because of contra-indications, interaction or poor tolerance.