Zonisamide capsules are indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy.

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Partial Seizure -- any seizure due to a lesion in a specific, known area of the cerebral cortex; symptoms vary with different lesion locations.

Epilepsy -- A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)

Zonisamide capsules are contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to sulfonamides or zonisamide.

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Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Potentially Fatal Reactions to Sulfonamides: Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, as a result of severe reactions to sulfonamides (zonisamide is a sulfonamide) including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias.

Such reactions may occur when a sulfonamide is readministered irrespective of the route of administration.

If signs of hypersensitivity or other serious reactions occur, discontinue zonisamide immediately.

Specific experience with sulfonamide-type adverse reaction to zonisamide is described below.

The following US Branded drugs contain Zonisamide

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ZONEGRAN -- DAINIPPON PHARMACEUTICAL USA CORP