zonisamide

(zoe NIH sah mide)
Zonegran

What is the most important information I should know about zonisamide?

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Zonisamide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, decreased concentration, vision problems, or poor coordination. Do not drive, operate dangerous machinery, or perform other hazardous activities until you know how zonisamide affects you. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, decreased concentration, vision problems, or poor coordination, avoid these activities.

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Do not stop taking zonisamide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. It is important to continue taking zonisamide to prevent the seizures from recurring. Stopping zonisamide suddenly may result in increased seizure frequency. If the medication needs to be stopped, your doctor may need to lower the dosage gradually.

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

a rash;

fever, sore throat, sores in your mouth, or bruising easily (may be signs of a blood problem);

sudden back pain, stomach or abdominal pain, pain when urinating, bloody or dark urine (may be signs of a kidney stone);

decreased sweating or a rise in body temperature (especially in those under 17 years old);

depression;

severe drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, or coordination problems;

unusual thoughts; or

speech or language problems including difficulty finding words.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

What is zonisamide?

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Zonisamide is used to control seizures. The exact way that zonisamide works is unknown.

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Zonisamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zonisamide?

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Do not take zonisamide without first talking to your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol, others); sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin, others); or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Bactrim DS, Septra, Septra DS, Cotrim, others). You may also have an allergic reaction to zonisamide.

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Before taking zonisamide, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. You may not be able to take zonisamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

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Zonisamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether zonisamide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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It is not known whether zonisamide passes into breast milk. Do not take zonisamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take zonisamide?

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Take zonisamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose of zonisamide with a full glass of water. Also, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

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Swallow the zonisamide capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or break them.

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Zonisamide can be taken with or without food.

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It is important to take zonisamide regularly to get the most benefit.

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If treatment with zonisamide is stopped for any reason, contact your doctor before restarting the medication. A lower dose may be needed to prevent side effects from occurring.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with zonisamide to monitor progress and side effects.

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Carry or wear a medical identification tag to let others know that you are taking this medicine in the case of an emergency.

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Store zonisamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a zonisamide overdose are unknown but might include loss of consciousness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and slow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking zonisamide?

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Do not drink alcohol while taking zonisamide. Alcohol may increase drowsiness or dizziness caused by zonisamide. Alcohol may also increase the risk of seizures.

What are the possible side effects of zonisamide?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

a rash;

increasing frequency or worsening of seizures;

fever, sore throat, sores in your mouth, or bruising easily (may be signs of a blood problem);

sudden back pain, stomach or abdominal pain, pain when urinating, bloody or dark urine (may be signs of a kidney stone);

decreased sweating or a rise in body temperature (especially in those under 17 years old);

depression;

severe drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, or coordination problems;

unusual thoughts; or

speech or language problems including difficulty finding words.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take zonisamide and talk to your doctor if you experience

dizziness;

mild drowsiness;

loss of appetite;

headache;

nausea; or

agitation or irritability.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect zonisamide?

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Zonisamide interacts with other drugs used to treat seizures. Before taking zonisamide, tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking a combination of medications to treat seizures. Continue to take all medications prescribed to treat seizures exactly as directed.

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Zonisamide may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if zonisamide is taken with any of these medications.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with zonisamide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has additional information about zonisamide written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.