Rufinamide
Commercial names and formulations:
Brand name: Banzel
Formulation: Tablet, Oral Suspension
Years on the market:
In the US since 2008
How to store it?
Store at room temperature
What does the body do to the medication?
Can I take it with food?
Yes, and it should be taken with food since this improves absorption
How long does it take to get to the blood after I take it?
4-6 hours
How long does it take to start having a steady effect?
2 days
Can this medication be started at a high dose or it has to be started gradually?
Gradually
How long does it stay in the body?
About ½ day
How is it eliminated?
Not metabolized by the major liver enzymes. Kidneys
What does the medication do to the body?
Type of epilepsy that helps:
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
FDA approved for:
In combination with other medications for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in adults and children >4 years
Common side effects:
• Skin: rash, itching
• Bones: none
• Blood: decrease in white blood cells
• Liver: none
• Kidneys: none
• Stomach and intestines: vomiting, nausea, flu like symptoms, decreased appetite, abdominal pain
• Heart: none
• Brain: drowsiness, headache, tiredness, dizziness, difficulty with coordination, attention problems
• Mood: aggression
• Others: runny nose, blurry vision, bronchitis, sinus infection, ear infection
Serious side effects:
Risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
What happens if I get too much of it (intoxication)?
Take this medication only as prescribed. Symptoms of a Banzel overdose are not known.
What happens if I stop it suddenly (withdrawal)?
As with most of the anti-epileptic medications, Banzel should not be stopped suddenly. This may cause an increase in the number of seizures or the severity of the seizures.
Who should not take this medication?
Patients with a known Familial Short QT syndrome (a very rare heart syndrome) or known allergies to this medication.
What is the average dose and how many times a day should be given?
Children: initial 10 mg/kg/day (in divided doses), target dose of 45 mg/kg/day (in divided doses)
Adults: initial 400-800 mg/day (in divided doses), maximum dose of 3200 mg/day (in divided doses)
Does the body get used to the medication?
Yes
Medications to be careful with:
Other AEDs that can increase the blood level of Banzel:
Valproic Acid
Other AEDs that can decrease the blood level of Banzel:
Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Primidone
Other drug interactions:
Banzel may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
Blood work required?
How often?
No
Normal range
Not commonly used
Women’s health
Affects contraceptives?
Yes
Affect fertility?
Unknown
Are safe in pregnancy?
Unknown.
Category
Pregnancy Category C
Can breastfeed?
Banzel has been shown to be excreted in breast milk and it’s effect on the nursing child is unknown. The multiple benefits of breastfeeding need to be weighed against the probable small, but unknown, risks of the baby getting some limited amount of the medication. The baby needs to be watched closely for excessive sleepiness and poor feeding.
Affect bones (osteoporosis)?
No
Men’s health
Affects sexual performance?
No
Affects fertility?
Unknown
Use other than epilepsy:
None