Course Summary

Expiration Date: 05/29/2029

Zonisamide is a sulfonamide-derived antiepileptic drug with broad-spectrum activity, mediated by inhibition of sodium and T-type calcium channels and by weak carbonic anhydrase inhibition. It is primarily indicated as adjunctive therapy for partial-onset seizures in adults, with off-label applications in chronic pain, weight management, and other neurologic conditions. Once-daily dosing, hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4, and renal elimination support its use across diverse populations, although adverse effects, including CNS depression, metabolic acidosis, and rare serious reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome and neuropsychiatric events, require careful monitoring. This course reviews zonisamide’s pharmacology, therapeutic applications, special population considerations, adverse effect profile, toxicity, drug interactions, and the role of interprofessional collaboration in safe and effective seizure management.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Seizure Disorders and Treatment Pathways: An Overview
  • Pharmacological Overview
    • Mechanism of Action
    • Absorption, Distribution, and Elimination
  • Therapeutic Applications
    • FDA-Approved Indications
    • Off-Label Uses and Clinical Considerations
    • Dosing and Administration
  • Special Population Considerations
    • Hepatic and Renal Impairment
    • Older Adults
    • Adolescents and Pediatrics
    • Pregnancy and Lactation
  • VI.Contraindications and Adverse Effects
    • Contraindications/Precautions
    • Common Adverse Effects
    • Serious Adverse Effects
  • VII.Toxicity and Monitoring
    • Overdose Manifestations
    • Routine Monitoring Parameters
    • Drug Interactions
  • VIII.Interprofessional Collaboration in Seizure Management
    • Background
    • Case Presentation
    • Study Discussion IX.
  • Summary

Author

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.