Zonisamide effective for weight loss in women

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Zonisamide effective for weight loss in women

J Fam Pract. 2003 August;52(8):587-604

By

Caroline S. Kim, MD

BACKGROUND: Zonisamide is an antiepileptic medication with a common side effect of causing significant weight loss. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of using zonisamide for weight loss alone in obese adults.
POPULATION STUDIED Sixty adults from an outpatient clinic population and those responding to flyers were enrolled. Participants were aged 21 to 50 years, with a mean body-mass index of 36.3 and mean age of 37 years. Subjects were 92% female; 48% were African Americans and 52% Caucasians.
STUDY DESIGN AND VALIDITY: Subjects were randomized in a double-blind fashion (allocation assignment concealed) to receive either zonisamide or identical placebo. All participants were also prescribed a hypocaloric diet (500 kcal/d deficit). Zonisamide therapy was started at 100 mg/d orally and gradually titrated to 600 mg/d.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: The primary outcome measured was change in absolute body weight. Secondary outcomes included percent weight change and the number of participants in each group to reach a weight loss of at least 5% and 10% of baseline body weight. Other measures included adverse treatment effects and an Impact of Weight on Quality of Life (IWQOL) questionnaire.
RESULTS: In the initial phase of the trial, the zonisamide group lost significantly more weight than the placebo group (mean 5.9 kg vs 0.9 kg; P<.001). A total of 57% of patients in the zonisamide group vs 10% in the placebo group lost at least 5% of their initial body weight, and 23% of those in the zonisamide group vs 0% in the placebo group lost at least 10% of initial body weight (P=.05). After the extension phase, the zonisamide group had a mean weight loss of 9.2 kg vs 1.5 kg for the placebo group.

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Zonisamide effective for weight loss in women

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