Banzel is taken by mouth, usually twice daily with food. Taking it with food helps the body absorb the medication more consistently.
Try to take each dose at about the same time every day. A regular schedule helps maintain a steady amount of rufinamide in the body and makes missed doses less likely.
Banzel tablets may be:
- Swallowed whole
- Cut in half along the score line
- Crushed if needed
Take Banzel exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not take more medication, take it more often, or increase the dose on your own.
Starting Treatment
Banzel is usually started at a low dose and increased gradually.
For adults, the usual starting dose is 400 mg to 800 mg per day, divided into two equal doses.
For example:
- 400 mg per day may be taken as 200 mg twice daily
- 800 mg per day may be taken as 400 mg twice daily
Your healthcare provider may increase the total daily dose by 400 mg to 800 mg every other day, depending on seizure control and how well you tolerate the medication.
The maximum recommended adult dose is 3,200 mg per day, divided into two doses.
Dosing in Children
For children 1 year of age and older, the dose is based on body weight.
The usual starting dose is about 10 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into two equal doses.
The healthcare provider may gradually increase the dose every other day until an effective dose is reached.
The usual target dose is about 45 mg per kilogram per day, up to a maximum of 3,200 mg per day.
A healthcare provider will calculate the appropriate dose based on the child’s weight and response to treatment.
Take Banzel With Food
Banzel should be taken with food because food increases the amount of rufinamide absorbed by the body.
Try to take each dose in a similar way each day, such as with breakfast and dinner.
Continue Taking Banzel Regularly
Banzel helps control seizures but does not cure Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Continue taking the medication even if seizures improve or you feel well. Missing doses or stopping treatment suddenly may cause seizures to return or become more severe.
Do Not Stop Banzel Suddenly
Do not stop taking Banzel without speaking with your healthcare provider.
If treatment needs to be stopped, the dose is usually reduced gradually. This helps lower the risk of increased seizures or other complications.
In clinical studies, Banzel was gradually reduced by about 25% every two days when treatment was discontinued.
If You Miss a Dose
Take the missed dose when you remember unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose.
If your next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
If You Take Too Much
Taking too much Banzel may increase the risk of severe dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, problems with coordination, or other serious effects.
Contact a poison control center or seek urgent medical care if you or someone else takes more than the prescribed amount.
Monitoring During Treatment
Your healthcare provider may monitor your response to Banzel during treatment.
This may include reviewing:
- How often seizures occur
- Changes in seizure type or severity
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Coordination or balance problems
- Appetite and weight
- Other anti-seizure medications you take
Dose adjustments may be needed if seizures remain uncontrolled or side effects become difficult to manage.
Important Treatment Instructions
Take Banzel exactly as prescribed and with food each time.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- Seizures become more frequent
- Seizures become more severe
- You develop severe dizziness or drowsiness
- You have trouble walking or maintaining balance
- You cannot keep the medication down because of vomiting
- You experience unusual or severe side effects
Do not change your dose or stop treatment without medical advice.
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