zonegran

Zonegran (zonisamide) is a sulfa drug with anti-convulsant effects.

Zonegran is used together with other anti-convulsant medications to treat partial seizures in adults with epilepsy.

Zonegran may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Zonegran if you are allergic to zonisamide, or to other sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). A sulfa drug allergic reaction can be fatal.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking Zonegran. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Zonegran may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Do not stop using this medicine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using Zonegran suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Zonegran. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zonegran if you are allergic to zonisamide, or to other sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole, sulfisoxazole, or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP or SMZ-TMP, and others). A sulfa drug allergic reaction can be fatal.

To make sure Zonegran is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• stomach flu or illness causing diarrhea;

• a growth disorder;

• a bone disorder that causes soft or weak bones or low bone mineral density;

• asthma or other breathing problems;

• a history of depression, or suicidal thoughts or actions;

• if you have ever had metabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood); or

• if you have been on a high-protein, low-carb diet.

You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medicine. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

In animal studies, Zonegran caused birth defects and infant death. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people taking doses recommended for humans. Ask your doctor about your personal risk. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Zonegran.

If you are already pregnant, do not start or stop taking Zonegran during pregnancy without your doctor"s advice. Zonegran can cause metabolic acidosis, which could harm an unborn baby. However, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking zonisamide.

Zonisamide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Zonegran is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Zonegran?

Take Zonegran exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Zonegran with a full glass of water. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day to prevent kidney stones while you are taking this medicine.

Zonegran can be taken with or without food.

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

While using Zonegran, you may need frequent blood tests.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Zonegran. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor"s instructions about tapering your dose.

If you do stop taking Zonegran for any reason, talk with your doctor before restarting the medication. You may need to restart at a lower dose.

Seizures are often treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor"s advice.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take Zonegran. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and slow or shallow breathing.

What should I avoid while taking Zonegran?

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Zonegran will affect you.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of zonisamide.

Zonegran side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zonegran: any form of skin rash; hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: sudden mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• increased or worsening seizures;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat;

• severe pain in your lower back, blood in your urine;

• loss of appetite, tired feeling, problems with thinking or speech, trouble concentrating;

• feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin without sweating;

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild; or

• severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common Zonegran side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;

• problems with memory or concentration;

• feeling agitated or irritable;

• loss of coordination, trouble walking; or

• loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Zonegran?

Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking Zonegran with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or depression.

Other drugs may interact with zonisamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.