Zonisamide
About
Zonisamide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics 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. 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.
Zonisamide contains 'Zonisamide’ that reduces the abnormal and excessive activity of nerve impulses in the brain that cause fits or seizures. Thereby helps in controlling 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. Zonisamide is used alone or in combination to treat and prevent partial seizures in adults and children above 6 years of age.
Take Zonisamide as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Zonisamide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. 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, 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.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Zonisamide for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Please do not stop taking Zonisamide without consulting your doctor to avoid worsening of seizures. Do not take Zonisamide if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy unless prescribed by the doctor. Avoid taking Zonisamide while breastfeeding as it may cause side-effects in the breastfed babies. Zonisamide should not be given to children unless prescribed. Zonisamide causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive if you are alert. Zonisamide should not be given to children unless prescribed. 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, inform your doctor immediately if you have any eye pain, redness, or any changes in your vision. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Zonisamide
Medicinal Benefits
Zonisamide belongs to a group of medicines called anti-convulsants or anti-epileptics. Zonisamide is used to treat epilepsy/seizures/fits. Epilepsy is a sudden rush of electricity in the brain. Zonisamide works by blocking the sodium and calcium current in the brain and suppress the abnormal and excessive activity of nerve impulses in the brain that cause fits and pain. Thereby help in controlling seizures. Zonisamide is used alone or in combination to treat and prevent partial seizures and generalized seizures in adults. Zonisamide may be used as solo therapy or in combination in treating and preventing 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
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)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Zonisamide if you are allergic to Zonisamide 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 to pass into the breast milk and affect the baby. Zonisamide should not be given to children unless prescribed. Inform your doctor before taking Zonisamide if you have or had kidney and liver problems, glaucoma, high levels of ammonia, osteoporosis, depression, heart problems if you have low levels of bicarbonate in blood 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, inform your doctor immediately if you have any eye pain, redness, or any changes in your vision.
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
cautionDose 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
cautionDose 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 utilizing fat instead of glucose for the generation of energy.
- Atkins diet (high fay 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 improves 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 which 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: generalized and partial seizures. Generalized 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 disorder, brain injury, or stroke.
FAQs
Zonisamide consists of 'zonisamide' that 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 for 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, 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, drink 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.
