FDA issues zonisamide warning

The FDA has reviewedupdated clinical data to determine that treatment with zonisamide can causemetabolic acidosis in some patients. Patients with predisposing conditions ortherapies may be at greater risk and the risk of zonisamide-induced metabolicacidosis appears to be more frequent and severe in younger patients. The FDA isrecommending that healthcare professionals measure serum bicarbonate levelsbefore and during treatment with zonisamide, even in the absence of symptoms. The agency is also working with manufacturers of zonisamide to revise theproduct labeling to reflect this new safetyinformation.

Zonisamide is indicatedas adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults withepilepsy.

For more informationvisit www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm106934.htm.