Review: A review of the use of zonisamide in Parkinson’s disease

Autor: Pedro Emilio Bermejo, Buenaventura Anciones
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2009
Předmět:
Zdroj: Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, Vol 2 (2009)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1756-2856
17562856
DOI: 10.1177/1756285609338501
Popis: Although zonisamide was previously only used to treat epilepsy, recently more applications have been forthcoming. Due to a good side effect profile, a lower frequency of interactions and a more comfortable posology, there are several studies regarding its uses in other pathologies such as migraine, neuropathic pain, essential tremor and various psychiatric diseases. A multicentered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Japan suggested that zonisamide, as an add-on treatment, has efficacy in treating motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. In addition, other studies support the utility of zonisamide in other symptoms of this disease. The therapeutic doses of zonisamide for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease are considerably lower than those for the treatment of epilepsy. This antiepileptic drug has been used in Japan for more than 15 years and so it is expected that it will be safe and well tolerated in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of the antiparkinsonian actions of zonisamide remain unclear and more basic investigation is warranted. The aim of this paper is to review the structure, mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and antiparkinsonian action of zonisamide.
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