Efficacy and Safety of an add-on Treatment With Zonisamide in Adults With Focal Epileptic Seizures With or Without Secondary Generalization

Eisai

Status and phase

Terminated

Phase 4

Conditions

Epilepsy

Treatments

Drug: Zonegran

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00165828

ZNS-D-04-001

2005-000260-57 (EudraCT Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Patients with focal epileptic seizures with or without generalization who are at present treated with one or two antiepileptic drugs are eligible for this study, provided that they fulfill all inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria. Following a baseline phase of 8 weeks duration, the patients are randomised and they receive an initial daily dose of 50 mg zonisamide during the first week. The daily dose is then increased to 200 mg zonisamide in group A or 400 mg zonisamide in group B, respectively. After eight weeks of treatment, the daily dose in group A can be increased to 300 mg in case of insufficient efficacy. Control assessments are performed at the beginning of the study and at the end of the prospective baseline phase, if applicable and after 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. At the end of the first, second, and third treatment week, and at the end of week six, the patient is additionally contacted by telephone. Efficacy and safety parameters are assessed at baseline, during all control visits, and at the end of the study.

Enrollment

157 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 74 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria at screening:

Adult aged between 18 years and 74 years
Focal epileptic seizures with or without secondary generalization
Present treatment with one or two antiepileptic drugs (constant dosage during 8 weeks baseline phase prior to initiation of treatment with zonisamide). Stimulation of the vagus nerve is permitted and will not be counted as antiepileptic drug.
For women of childbearing potential (postmenopausal for more than 1 year): possible pregnancy during the study can be excluded (by hysterectomy, sterilization or simultaneous application of two recognized methods of contraception (no oral contraceptives only)
For male patients with partners of childbearing potential: a safe method of contraception is practiced during their study participation
Written consent to participate in the study

Inclusion criteria for randomisation:

At least 6 focal or clonicotonic seizures documented completely in a seizure diary or the patient chart during the 8 prospective or retrospective weeks baseline phase.

Exclusion criteria at screening:

Epileptic state during the past year
Non-epileptic fits
Generalized epilepsy
More than 4 weeks of seizure freedom during baseline phase
Concomitant progressive CNS disease including progressive myoclonus epilepsy
Concomitant treatment with vigabatrine and / or topiramate
Hepatic and/or renal insufficiency (creatine > 2mg% or GPT > 2 times ULN)
Body weight ≤ 40 kg
(History of) kidney stones; erythrocyturia, family history (in parents, children, brothers and sisters or grandparents) of kidney stones
(History of) drug and/or alcohol dependence
Active psychosis
Suicide attempt during the past 3 years
Pre-treatment with zonisamide
Known hypersensitivity to sulfonamides
concomitant treatment with neuroleptic drugs
pregnant or breast feeding woman
participation in another therapy study within 3 months prior to or during this study
blood donation planned during or within 4 weeks after the participation in this study
elective surgery planned during the participation in this study
patient is not willing or not capable to meet the study demands
patient does not agree to the forwarding of his/her pseudonymous data
patient without legal competence