Indication

Epilepsy

RAG rating

Double Red

Document type

Decision document

Place

Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB

Output type

Pharmacy / Prescribing

Zonisamide oral liquids

    HERTFORDSHIRE AND WEST ESSEX AREA PRESCRIBING COMMITTEE (HWE APC)

                      Zonisamide oral liquid formulations for treating epilepsy

                                                        DOUBLE RED

 NOT recommended for prescribing by either Community/Secondary/Tertiary or Primary care.

 

Name generic:                           Zonisamide oral liquid formulations

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 oral liquid formulations are NOT recommended for restricted use as an option in children, young people and adults in line with NICE guidance NG217.

 

•     Zonisamide licensed oral suspension is NOT recommended for prescribing by either Community/Secondary/Tertiary or Primary care; DOUBLE RED prescribing status NOT a priority for funding (very high cost): except on rare occasion where cases are managed on individual patient basis only. For existing patients, regular reviews by specialist must be undertaken on whether switching to capsule formulation is appropriate or provide justification for ongoing clinical need to primary care. 

 

•     Zonisamide unlicensed liquid preparations are NOT recommended for prescribing by either Community/Secondary/Tertiary or Primary care for new patients; DOUBLE RED prescribing status NOT a priority for funding (very high cost). For existing patients, regular reviews by specialist must be undertaken on whether switching to capsule formulation or in exceptional circumstances licensed oral suspension 100mg/5ml (Desizon) is appropriate or provide justification for ongoing clinical need to primary care. 

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