Mechanisms of action of zonisamide
Zonisamide is chemically classified as a sulfonamide. It is not chemically related to any other seizure medicines.
The primary mechanisms of action of zonisamide appear related to blockage of voltage-dependent sodium and T-type (but not L-type) calcium channels. Zonisamide is a less potent carbonic anhydrase inhibitor than acetazolamide and therefore this effect is probably not a major contributor to its mechanism of action. Zonisamide is a broad-spectrum anti-epileptic drug (AED) in animal models.
