Zonisamide
About Zonisamide
Zonisamide is used to treat epilepsy (seizures/fits). Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures.
Zonisamide contains 'Zonisamide’ that reduces the abnormal and excessive activity of nerve impulses in the brain that cause fits or seizures. This helps in controlling seizures.
In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as dizziness, irritability, loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, headache, and uncontrolled movements. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Inform your doctor about your health conditions and medicines to prevent side effects. Do not take Zonisamide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Zonisamide can cause permanent vision loss. Inform your doctor immediately if you have any eye pain, redness, or any changes in your vision.
Uses of Zonisamide
Medicinal Benefits
- Zonisamide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits.
- It works by blocking the sodium and calcium currents in the brain and suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of nerve impulses in the brain that cause fits and pain. This helps in controlling seizures.
- Zonisamide is used alone or in combination to treat and prevent partial seizures and generalised seizures in adults.
- It may be used as solo therapy or in combination to treat and prevent seizures in children above 6 years of age.
- Zonisamide is not associated with any psychological or physical dependence, and there is no potential for abuse.
Directions for Use
- Zonisamide can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- It is usually taken once or twice a day or as directed by the doctor.
- Swallow Zonisamide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Zonisamide
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Memory impairment
- Impaired coordination
- Double vision
- Confusion
- Kidney stones
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Decreased blood levels of bicarbonates (a substance that prevents the blood from becoming acidic)
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Zonisamide if you are allergic to it or any of its contents.
- Avoid intake of Zonisamide if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy unless prescribed by the doctor.
- Breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor before using Zonisamide.
- Zonisamide should not be given to children unless prescribed.
- Inform your doctor before taking Zonisamide if you have or have had kidney and liver problems, glaucoma, high levels of ammonia, osteoporosis, depression, heart problems, or if you have low levels of bicarbonate in your blood, or if you have previously suffered from kidney stones.
- Do not stop taking Zonisamide without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizure episodes.
- Zonisamide causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert.
- Avoid consuming alcohol along with Zonisamide as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
- Consult your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings or suicidal tendencies.
- Zonisamide can cause permanent vision loss. If you experience any eye pain, redness, or vision changes, inform your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Zonisamide may have interaction with an anti-depressant (amitriptyline, duloxetine, sertraline, fluoxetine), anti-convulsant (gabapentin, lamotrigine, pregabalin, phenytoin, topiramate), antipsychotic (aripiprazole, quetiapine, lithium), anti-anxiety (alprazolam, triazolam), antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin), pain killer (codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, morphine), antihistamine (diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine), and antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Zonisamide, as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness. Herbal preparations containing St. John's wort should be avoided while taking Zonisamide.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Zonisamide may have interactions with disease conditions such as depression, liver disease, kidney dysfunction, suicidal tendency, irregular heartbeat, thyroid dysfunction, low bicarbonate levels in the blood, and blood disorders.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Zonisamide as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionAvoid taking Zonisamide if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor to lead to serious birth defects/congenital disabilities. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionZonisamide should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and could lead to side-effects for breastfed babies.
Driving
unsafeZonisamide causes drowsiness, sleepiness, and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
consult your doctorDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
safe if prescribedZonisamide can be given to children above 6 years if prescribed by the doctor. The dose will be adjusted by the doctor depending upon the child's body weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- A ketogenic diet (low in carbohydrates and high in fats) is recommended for children with epilepsy. This diet helps in utilising fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Atkins diet (high fat and controlled carbohydrates) is recommended for adolescents and adults.
- Rest well, get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Exercise, meditation, and yoga can help lower stress, decrease pain sensitivity, and improve coping skills.
- Prepare your living area; small changes may reduce the risk of physical injury during a seizure.
- Install an alarm or emergency device to get assistance during a seizure attack.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of bicarbonate levels while taking Zonisamide is advised to prevent low blood bicarbonate levels.
- Zonisamide may cause low blood cell count, so if you have any red or purple spots on the body, let your doctor know about this.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. It is a disorder of the nervous system that occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain. In epilepsy, the brain's electrical rhythms become imbalanced, resulting in recurrent seizures. In patients with seizures, the typical brain electrical pattern is disrupted by sudden bursts of electrical impulses that affect an individual's consciousness, movements, or sensations. Seizures are of two types: generalised and partial seizures. Generalised seizures affect the entire brain, whereas partial seizures affect only a part of the brain. Seizures can cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms. Stronger seizures may cause people to become confused or unconscious. Possible causes include high fever, trauma, genetic disorders, brain injury, or stroke.
FAQs
Zonisamide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics used to treat epilepsy (seizures/fits).
Zonisamide consists of zonisamide, which decreases the brain's excessive and abnormal nerve activity by blocking sodium and calcium currents in your brain and body. This reduces abnormal electrical activity between your nerve cells.
Consult your doctor before taking Zonisamide if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Your doctor will prescribe Zonisamide only if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you are planning for pregnancy, use contraception while taking Zonisamide.
Zonisamide should be used with caution during hot weather, as it may increase the chance of having a heat stroke. Inform your doctor if you have heat intolerance or fever. To avoid this condition, it is advisable to drink a lot of cold fluid and water and move to a cooler place, especially in summer.
No, Zonisamide is not a habit-forming drug. However, it can cause side effects, especially when you stop taking it suddenly.
Do not discontinue Zonisamide without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Zonisamide for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Zonisamide; your doctor will gradually reduce the dose to avoid precipitating seizures.
Consult your doctor before taking Zonisamide if you have had kidney stones. Your doctor will prescribe Zonisamide only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Zonisamide should be taken with caution in patients with kidney stones. You may be at increased risk of developing more kidney stones. Reduce the risk of kidney stones by drinking sufficient water.
Consult your doctor before taking Zonisamide if you have glaucoma. Zonisamide is contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. Zonisamide may cause blindness on long-term use in the case of patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Zonisamide contains Zonisamide as an active ingredient.
If you suddenly stop taking Zonisamide, your seizures may become worse. If required, your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
In patients taking Zonisamide, severe muscle pain and/or weakness develop either in the presence or absence of a fever. It is recommended that you consult your doctor; they will perform specific tests to evaluate muscle damage and treat it accordingly.
Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not officially approved Zonisamide for children, quite a few research studies have shown that it has been given to children of various ages (even infants) with generally good results. However, it should be provided under the supervision of a doctor.
Suicidal tendencies are not a common side effect of Zonisamide. However, consult your doctor immediately if you experience mood swings or suicidal tendencies.
Yes, Zonisamide may lead to weight loss. A side effect of Zonisamide is reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss.
No, it does not impact on birth control pills. No reported interactions have been established as of now.
Zonisamide is excreted by the kidneys; patients with renal impairment or renal disease should be treated cautiously.
In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as dizziness, irritability, loss of appetite, memory impairment, double vision, confusion, depression, constipation, nausea, headache, and uncontrolled movements. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Symptoms of overdose may include slow heartbeat, slowed breathing, dizziness, fainting and coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time).
Zonisamide may help control your condition but will not cure it. It may take two weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of Zonisamide.
Before using this medication, you should inform your doctor about your medical history, including any ongoing medicines, to avoid potential interactions and minimize side effects.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Taking more than the recommended dosage does not provide additional benefits and can increase the risk of adverse effects.
Avoid consuming alcohol along with Zonisamide as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
