II. Mechanism
- Anticonvulsant
- Sodium channel inhibitor
III. Indications
- Lennox-Gestaut Syndrome (adjunct)
IV. Contraindications
- Severely impaired hepatic function
- Short QTc
V. Dosing
-
General
- Take with food
- Adult
- Start 400 mg to 800 mg/day divided twice daily
- Start 400 mg/day if also taking Valproic Acid
- Titrate by increasing dose by 400 to 800 mg/day every 2 days as needed
- Maximum target dose: 3200 mg/day divided twice daily
- Start 400 mg to 800 mg/day divided twice daily
- Child (age >1 year old)
- Start 10 mg/kg/day divided twice daily taken orally
- Titrate by increasing dose by 10 mg/kg/day every 2 days as needed
- Maximum target dose: 45 mg/kg/day (up to 3200 mg/day) divided twice daily
VI. Safety
- Pregnancy Category C
- Fetal toxicity has been found in animal studies
- Unknown Safety in Lactation
VII. Metabolism
- Hepatic Metabolism
- Hemodialysis reduces available drug level by 30%
VIII. Adverse Effects
- Common
- Serious
- Other
- QTc Shortening
- Leukopenia
IX. Drug Interactions
-
Valproic Acid
- Start Rufinamide at lower dose
-
Oral Contraceptives
- Decreases contraceptive efficacy
X. Resources
XI. References
- (2022) Presc Lett, Resource #361206, Antiseizure Medications
- Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 56-7
- Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia
Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)
Related Studies
| rufinamide (on 9/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| RUFINAMIDE 200 MG TABLET | Generic | $2.40 each |
| RUFINAMIDE 40 MG/ML SUSPENSION | Generic | $1.00 per ml |
| RUFINAMIDE 400 MG TABLET | Generic | $4.68 each |
| banzel (on 7/19/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| BANZEL 200 MG TABLET | Generic | $2.40 each |
| BANZEL 40 MG/ML SUSPENSION | Generic | $1.00 per ml |
| BANZEL 400 MG TABLET | Generic | $4.68 each |