BANZEL Rx Generic Name and Formulations:
Rufinamide 200mg, 400mg; scored tabs.

Company:
Eisai Pharmaceuticals

Indications for BANZEL:
Adjunctive treatment of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Adult Dose for BANZEL:
Take with food in 2 equally divided doses. Initially 400–800mg per day; increase by 400–800mg/day every other day to target of 3200mg/day. Avoid abrupt cessation (reduce dose by 25% every 2 days).

Children's Dose for BANZEL:
Take with food in 2 equally divided doses. <4yrs: not recommended. ≥4yrs: initially 10mg/kg per day; increase every other day by 10mg/kg to target 45mg/kg per day or 3200mg/day (whichever is less). Avoid abrupt cessation (reduce dose by 25% every 2 days).

See Also:
BANZEL ORAL SUSPENSION

Pharmacological Class:
Antiepileptic (triazole).

Contraindications:
Familial short QT syndrome.

Warnings/Precautions:
Severe hepatic impairment: not recommended. Mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Dialysis (may adjust dose). Depression or suicidal ideation (monitor). Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers: not recommended.

Interactions:
Caution with drugs that shorten QT interval. CNS depression with alcohol, other CNS depressants. Antagonizes carbamazepine, lamotrigine, triazolam. May potentiate phenobarbital, phenytoin. Potentiated by valproate (reduce doses). Antagonized by carbamazepine, phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin. May affect substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2E1 (monitor). Antagonizes hormonal contraceptives (use non-hormonal forms too). May be affected by inducers or inhibitors of carboxylesterases.

Adverse Reactions:
Somnolence, fatigue, incoordination, dizziness, gait disturbances, ataxia, headache, GI upset, visual disturbances, leukopenia, fever/rash (monitor for multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions; discontinue if occur).

How Supplied:
Tabs 200mg—30; 400mg—120; susp—460mL (w. adapter & dosing syringe)