Zonisamide
Information about Zonisamide
Zonisamide uses
Zonisamide is used in the treatment of epilepsy/seizures.
How zonisamide works
Zonisamide is an antiepileptic medication. It prevents seizures in patients with epilepsy by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Common side effects of zonisamide
Dizziness, Drowsiness, Headache, Double vision, Nausea, Agitation, Decreased appetite, Abdominal pain, Weight loss, Tremors, Weakness, Vomiting, Speech disorder, Ringing in ear, Convulsion, Abnormal gait, Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity), Palpitations, Kidney stone, Metabolic acidosis, Neuropsychiatric symptoms, Circulatory disorder, Lymphatic system abnormalities, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Pancreatic inflammation, Rhabdomyolysis
Available Medicine for Zonisamide
Expert advice for Zonisamide
- Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
- Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
- Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:
- Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
- Practice yoga every day.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
- Take your medication on time.
- Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Drink plenty of water while taking Zonisamide to reduce the risk of kidney stones and heat stroke. Inform your doctor if you have sudden pain in your stomach, pain on urinating, or if you find blood in your urine.
- It may cause loss of appetite and weight. Monitor your weight regularly.
- Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.
Frequently asked questions for Zonisamide
Zonisamide
Q. What happens if I stop taking Zonisamide?
Do not stop taking Zonisamide without talking to your doctor. Stopping Zonisamide suddenly may cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop.
Q. My friend, who was on Zonisamide, developed severe muscle pain with fever. What could this be due to?
Severe muscle pain or weakness, with or without fever, could be due to Zonisamide. Consult your doctor immediately. The doctor may suggest some blood tests to check your levels of serum creatine phosphokinase and aldolase enzymes. Elevated levels of these enzymes may prompt the doctor to discontinue Zonisamide.
Q. What are the effects of Zonisamide in children?
Zonisamide works well in children and is well tolerated by most of them. The common side effects in children include problems with thinking or behavior, followed by stomach upset. One dangerous side effect of Zonisamide in children is decreased sweating with fever. This affects children but not adults and is more common in summers.