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Indication
Epilepsy
RAG rating
Amber initiation
Document type
Decision document
Place
Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB
Output type
Pharmacy / Prescribing

Zonisamide capsules

HERTFORDSHIRE AND WEST ESSEX AREA PRESCRIBING COMMITTEE (HWE APC)

Zonisamide capsules for treating epilepsy

AMBER INITIATION

Recommended for initiation by specialists, ongoing prescribing in primary care, following stabilisation of therapy, and after an assessment of tolerability and efficacy has been made by the specialists.

Name generic:

Zonisamide capsules

What it is:

Anti-seizure medicine

Indication:

Licensed as monotherapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy and adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures, with or without secondary generalisation, in adults, adolescents, and children aged 6 years and above.

Date decision last revised:

March 2025

NICE

NICE NG217 recommended

HWE APC recommendation:

Zonisamide capsules are recommended for restricted use as an option in children, young people and adults in line with NICE guidance NG217.

It is not always possible to precisely achieve calculated dose with commercially available capsule strengths. In these cases it is therefore recommended that the capsules total dose should be rounded up or down to the nearest available dose that can be achieved with commercially available capsule strengths (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg) SPC. All dosage adjustments are responsibility of specialist.

 

Zonisamide capsules can be opened and contents mixed into a teaspoonful of soft food (e.g. honey or jam) to swallow straight away, without chewing [Medicines for Children]

AMBER INITIATION:

  • At initiation, specialists must also counsel the patient on all aspects related to the safe and effective use of this medication.
  • During treatment, periodic check-ups must be carried out according to standard clinical practice.

Further information: for latest updates and more detailed information, including contra-indications, cautions and special warnings; please refer to summary of product characteristics (SPC).


Version number
1.0
Developed by
HWE ICB Pharmacy Medicines Optimisation Team
Approved by
HWE ICB Area Prescribing Committee
Date approved / updated
March 2025
Review date
The recommendation is based upon the evidence available at the time of publication. This recommendation will be reviewed upon request in the light of new evidence becoming available.
Superseded version
N/A
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