Banzel is made up of rufinamide, which belongs to the drug class of dibenzazepine anticonvulsants. This medication is a pink, oval shaped tablet available for purchase as Banzel in 200mg and 400mg.

Banzel is prescribed in combination with other medications to those who have lennox-gastaut syndrome (LGS). LGS is a severe, but rare, form of epilepsy that starts in childhood. Those who suffer from LGS experience frequent seizures. Rufinamide works by acting on the sodium channels in the brain that transmit excessive electrical charges (which cause seizures) and decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain, reducing the chance of a seizure.

Take Banzel with food, unless your doctor says otherwise.

This tablet can be swallowed whole, crushed, or cut in half.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.

In case of emergency, it is recommended you wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use rufinamide.

It has been known that Banzel can cause suicidal thoughts. It is recommended you have someone trustworthy monitor your behavior for any changes that suggest you may be becoming suicidal.

Do not use this medication if you have a genetic heart rhythm disorder (short QT syndrome) or if you have severe liver disease.

Make your doctor aware if you have milk liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease or if you are on dialysis, or if you have depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts/actions.

Do not stop or start Banzel if you are pregnant. Having a seizure can seriously harm both the mother and unborn child.

Banzel can contradict birth control.

It is not safe to give this medication to a child under 1 year old.

Common Banzel side effects may include:

• headache;

• dizziness, drowsiness;

• nausea; or

• feeling tired.

Call your doctor straight away if you have:

• loss of balance or coordination;

• trouble walking; or

• worsening or increased seizures.

What are the recommended doses of Banzel?

Pediatric patients 1 year and older                           Adults

Initial Dose; 10mg/kg per day                                   Initial Dose; 400mg-800mg per day

in two equally divided doses                                     in two equally divided doses

Increased By; 10mg/kg increments                         Increased By; 400mg-800mg

every other day.                                                           every other day.

Max dose; 45mg/kg per day                                      Max Dose; 3200mg per day

What other medications should I tell my doctor I am taking?

Valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor). Valproic acid may increase the blood levels of rufinamide and could lead to enhanced side effects.

Why is my doctor starting me off on such a low dosage?

Your doctor is doing this to save you from side effects. Starting out on a dose too high can cause your side effects to be much worse than they need to be.

If I stop taking this medication out of the blue, what will happen?

When you stop taking Banzel with no warning, you risk worsening conditions such as seizures.

What is Inovelon?

Inovelon is what Banzel is known by internationally. When you order this product from another country, it is possible it will say Inovelon instead of Banzel, but it is still the same thing, made by the same manufacturer.