Rufinamide was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2008, as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children four years and older and adults. Its official FDA-approved labeling does not mention use in the treatment of partial seizures inasmuch as clinical trials submitted to the FDA were marginal. However, several recent clinical trials suggest that the drug has efficacy for partial seizures [4] It is marketed under the brand name Banzel.[5] It is also marketed in the European Union under the brand name Inovelon.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[7]
The mechanism of action of rufinamide is not fully understood. There is some evidence that rufinamide can modulate the gating of voltage-gated sodium channels,[8][9] a common target for antiepileptic drugs.[10] A recent study indicates subtle effects on the voltage-dependence of gating and the time course of inactivation in some sodium channel isoforms that could reduce neuronal excitability.[11] However, this action cannot explain the unique spectrum of activity of rufinamide.
^Hakimian S, Cheng-Hakimian A, Anderson GD, Miller JW (August 2007). "Rufinamide: a new anti-epileptic medication". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 8 (12): 1931–1940. doi:10.1517/14656566.8.12.1931. PMID17696794. S2CID19522242.