Comparative analysis of zonisamide and topiramate use in treatment of pediatric epilepsy in real clinical practice: the results of a retrospective study and related clinical cases

Background. Comparative study of antiepileptic drugs allows to make the optimal choice in therapy.The aim of the study: a comparative analysis of the administration of two similar by chemical structure antiepileptic drugs (zonisamide and topiramate) in the outpatient practice in epilepsy in children, taking into account the efficacy and tolerability.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of outpatient charts of equal in number (n = 18) groups of patients with different forms of epilepsy treated with zonisamide and topiramate in monotherapy and in combined therapy was carried out.Results. In general, no statistically significant difference in the efficacy of zonisamide and topiramate was obtained (p = 0.692). Efficacy in structural focal epilepsy was also comparable (absence of seizures 54.6 % and 45.5 %, respectively). With comparable efficacy, zonisamide was administered to patients much later in the antiepileptic drugs (Me = 5) than topiramate (Me = 3). Side effects on zonisamide were registered in 27.8 %, side effects on topiramate – in 38.9 % (p = 0.480). The difference in the effect of these drugs on cognitive functions was noted.Conclusions. Zonisamide shows its effectiveness in different forms of epilepsy in children, despite the later appointment in practice. The drug is well tolerated and probably has less negative effect on children’s cognitive functions than topiramate.