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Treatment of Chronic Pain with Zonisamide
Author(s) -
Krusz John Claude
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
pain practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1533-2500
pISSN - 1530-7085
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-7085.2003.03035.x
Subject(s) - zonisamide , medicine , chronic pain , anesthesia , physical therapy , psychiatry , epilepsy , topiramate
▪ Abstract: Mechanistic similarities underlying neuropathic pain and epilepsy suggest that anticonvulsants can be used for treating neuropathic pain. This open‐label prospective study assesses the use of zonisamide in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. Fifty‐five patients were initiated on zonisamide, given 100 mg every fourth night and titrated to a stable maintenance dosage (mean=285 mg/d, range=100 to 700 mg/d). Patients rated their pain on a 0 to 10 scale in pain diaries. After ≥3 months on a stable maintenance zonisamide dosage, pain ratings were compared with baseline. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored. Forty‐two patients had efficacy data available. Fifteen patients (35.7%) had a >50% improvement in daily pain scores; 10 patients (23.8%) had a 25% to 50% improvement. Zonisamide was well tolerated; only 5 patients discontinued for AEs (drowsiness, nausea, and itching). These results suggest that zonisamide may be useful for treating neuropathic pain. Further investigation in double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials is warranted. ▪