Abstracts

RATIONALE: Zonisamide (Zonegran) is a novel antiepilepsy drug that was approved in the United States early in 2000 for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in adults.The Early Access and Support for Epilepsy (EASE) program was undertaken to help physicians and patients begin a zonisamide therapy regimen and collect information regarding patient and physician satisfaction with the product. The present analysis, conducted by an independent body, the International Epilepsy Consortium (IEC), was designed to use feedback collected as part of the Ease program to evaluate physician and patient attitudes toward zonisamide.
METHODS: Patients and physicians were asked to complete program initiation questionnaires which included demographics, seizure history, concomitant medications at time of enrollment. Physicians were advised to initiate therapy at 100mg/d and increase the dosage by 100 mg to a maximum dosage of 600 mg/d . Subsequently, physicians and patients were asked to complete follow up questionnaires which included questions of seizure frequency, seizure severity, adverse events and quality of life.
RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were enrolled in the EASE program. Of these, 209 physicians have completed follow up forms to date. Of the 209 patients studied,no seizures were repored in 14.4 % of patients since beginning zonisamide therapy. The remainder reported fewer seizures (52.1 %) or no difference in seizure frequency (36.7 %) with zonisamide.Quality of life was improved or unchanged in 75.5 % of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Data from follow up questionnaires completed by Physicians and assessed by the IEC indicate that the response to zonisamide therapy has been favorable.
Support: Elan Pharmaceuticals.
Disclosure: Grant - Elan Pharmaceuticals.