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What is Zonisamide: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 13, 2021  •  Published Dec. 31, 2020

Zonisamide overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Zonegran

Generic Names:

  • Zonisamide

Uses:

  • Treats partial seizures.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Anticonvulsant

Forms:

  • Tablet, Capsule

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Zonisamide used for?

Zonegran comes in the form of an oral capsule and is used is used in combination with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in adults with epilepsy. Zonegran is anticonvulsant that works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Side effects of Zonegran include weight loss, changes in taste and heartburn.

What form(s) does Zonisamide come in

  • Tablet

  • Capsule

What are common Zonisamide doses?

  • Capsule 25MG

  • Capsule 50MG

  • Capsule 100MG

  • Bottle 1GM of

Common Zonisamide prescriptions

  • Zonisamide
    100mg capsule

  • Zonisamide
    25mg capsule

  • Zonisamide
    50mg capsule

How to take Zonisamide

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, chew, or open it.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, chew, or open it.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Zonisamide contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to zonisamide or other sulfa drugs.

Zonisamide warnings

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely. Your seizures may increase if you stop taking this medicine suddenly.

  • This medicine may make you sweat less and cause your body temperature to increase. Use caution when you exercise or if you are outside in hot weather.

  • This medicine lowers the number of white blood cells. This weakens your immune system, so you may get infections more easily. Wash your hands often. Avoid people who are sick.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Serious skin reactionsDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage the liver, kidney, blood, heart, or musclesEye or vision problems, including acute myopia, secondary angle closure glaucomaChanges in mood or behavior, including suicidal thoughts or behaviorMetabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood), which can lead to kidney stones and slow growth in childrenProblems with concentration, attention, memory, thinking, speech, or languageHyperammonemia (too much ammonia in your blood), which may damage the brain and can be life-threatening

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, breathing or lung problems, bone problems (including osteomalacia, osteopenia, osteoporosis), or a history of depression or metabolic acidosis.

Zonisamide interactions

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely. Your seizures may increase if you stop taking this medicine suddenly.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Some medicines can affect how zonisamide works. Tell your doctor if you use acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, digoxin, quinidine, rifampicin, or topiramate.

  • Tell your doctor if you are on a ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet).

Zonisamide side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Decreased sweating

  • Fever, sore throat, sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the lips, easy bruising

  • Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin

  • Blurred or changes in vision

  • Painful or difficult urination, bloody urine, decrease in how much you urinate, sudden and severe back or stomach pain

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Depression, unusual changes in moods or behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Confusion, problems with speech, coordination, concentration, or memory

  • Fast breathing, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Sleepiness, drowsiness, dizziness

  • Headache

  • Tiredness

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