Banzel (BAN-zel) is the brand name used in the United States and some other countries for the seizure medicine rufinamide (ru-FIN-a-mide). In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved rufinamide in 2008 to be used as an add-on (adjunctive) seizure medicine in children 4 years and older and adults with the Lennox-Gastaut (LGS) syndrome. The LGS is an epilepsy syndrome that usually is difficult to treat. It can comprise multiple seizure types, including atonic (drop), tonic (stiffening), tonic-clonic (stiffening and jerking), absence (staring) and other seizure types. Cognitive impairment or intellectual delay can accompany the syndrome.

Forms
Banzel is marketed in the United States by Eisai, Inc. The name or appearance may differ in other places. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") will usually be the same. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets

	200-mg Salmon colored tablet imprinted with "E 262" on one side
	400-mg Salmon colored tablet imprinted with "E 263" on one side

There is presently no injectable form of rufinamide.

How to take and store Banzel
Follow your doctor's directions. Call if you have any questions. For adults, the manufacturer recommends a starting dose of 200 mg twice a day, but you and your doctor may choose to start more slowly or more rapidly to fit your particular needs. Dosing can be increased by adding an extra 200 (or 400) mg twice a day every two days, to a maximum of 1600 mg twice a day (3200 mg per day total).

Children will usually be started at doses of approximately 10 mg/kg/day administered in two equally divided doses. Dosing can increase by adding additional 10 mg/kg amounts every two days, until the child is taking 45 mg/kg/day or a maximum of 3200 mg/day, divided into two doses each day.

Most people prefer to swallow the tablets whole to avoid their bitter taste. But people who are unable to swallow whole tablets can crush the tablet and mix it with food. Banzel is better absorbed when you take it with food, so this is preferred.

Be careful if the doctor writes a new prescription using a different kind of pill. For example, if you've been using 200-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 400-mg tablets, be careful to use the correct number. Don't automatically continue to use the same number of pills as before.

Be sure to use only the amount that the doctor prescribes. If you think you've used one or two extra tablets, call your doctor for advice. For a larger overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency room right away, unless you have special instructions from the doctor.

Don't stop taking Banzel or change the amount you use without talking to the doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause a serious problem called status epilepticus.

All forms of Banzel should be stored at room temperature, away from light and humidity and out of the reach of children. The manufacturer recommends storing Banzel at around 25° C (77° F). You may take it with you on excursions of temperatures between 15° to 30° C (59° to 86°F). The drug may be stable at greater extremes of temperature, but information is lacking.

What if I forget?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose for a few hours instead of taking two doses very close together. Then go back to the regular schedule. Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.

Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!