Randomized, controlled clinical trial of zonisamide as adjunctive treatment for refractory partial seizures.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate efficacy and safety of zonisamide (ZNS) as adjunctive treatment for patients with refractory partial seizures.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at four epilepsy treatment centers. It included a baseline phase (8 to 12 weeks) and a double-blind treatment phase (12 weeks).

Levetiracetam, a new antiepileptic agent: lack of in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic interaction with valproic acid.

Purpose: The novel antiepileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam (LEV; Keppra) has a wide therapeutic index and pharmacokinetic characteristics predicting limited drug-interaction potential. It is indicated as an add-on treatment in patients with epilepsy, and thus coadministration with valproic acid (VPA) is likely. These studies were performed to determine whether coadministration of LEV with VPA might result in pharmacokinetic interactions.