Zonisamide
General English name: Zonisamide
Brand: Zonegran
Application: Treatment of epilepsy
Zonisamide Pharmaceutical Forms
Zonisamide Drug Information
The correct amount and method of taking Zonisamide
Contraindications to zonisamide
The effect of taking Zonisamide on driving
Zonisamide drug interaction
Warning about taking Zonisamide
Side effects of taking zonisamide
Side effects of Zonisamide overdose (Zonisamide poisoning)
Storage conditions of Zonisamide
Zonisamide Pharmaceutical Forms
Tablets, capsules
Zonisamide Drug Information
Epilepsy means that a person often has fainting and seizures. Seizure is a transient condition caused by electrical changes in the brain. In seizures, electrical changes occur in a specific part of the brain and therefore a localized part of the body has seizures. Because different parts of the body are controlled by different parts of the brain, the symptoms seen in seizures depend on which part of the brain has undergone electrical changes. Symptoms that may occur during a seizure can affect muscles, emotions, behavior, awareness, or a combination of these. Medications such as zonisamide are prescribed to control this condition.
Zonisamide is an anticonvulsant sulfonamide and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that is prescribed to prevent or control seizures in epilepsy. The process of zonisamide to prevent seizures is not well known but it reduces the number of seizures.
The correct amount and method of taking Zonisamide
Read the package leaflet carefully before starting treatment with this medicine. This brochure will help you to get information about the drug and its possible side effects.
The dose and amount of zonisamide varies from person to person; Use the medicine exactly as your neurologist has told you. You will usually be given 1-2 doses a day with food.
Try to take zonisamide at certain times of the day.
Your doctor will usually start treatment with a low dose and then increase the dose depending on your condition
Swallow a zonisamide tablet or capsule with some water.
Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
If you forget to take your daily dose at the right time but soon forget, take the medicine; But if you remember when the next dose is near the hour, do not take the missed dose. You should not take two doses of the medicine together because of the missed dose.
Contraindications to zonisamide
Note the expiration date of the zonisamide drug and do not take it if the expired medicine has expired.
Never give Zonisamide to another person, even if you have the same symptoms.
Check for drug interactions with zonisamide, and if you are taking a drug that interacts with this drug, talk to your doctor about using your medications.
Zonisamide during pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy and lactation, you should not use the drug arbitrarily and without consulting your doctor. Taking zonisamide during pregnancy may be dangerous for the fetus.
The effect of taking Zonisamide on driving
Zonisamide causes diplopia and drowsiness in you and affects your ability to drive. When using this medicine, it is better to make sure you are conscious before driving and working with machines.
Zonisamide drug interaction
Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter and herbal medicines) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.
Some medications that may interact with zonisamide include carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (such as acetazolamide) and orlistat.
Other drugs that may affect the elimination of zoniasamide from the body and its function include: drugs for the treatment of seizures (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), rifampins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort.
The specific medications listed below can increase the risk of side effects from zonisamide (such as slow breathing, severe drowsiness, and dizziness) if you take medications such as alcohol, marijuana, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety medications (such as diazepam). Use diazepam, zolpidem, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), muscle relaxants, and painkillers (such as codeine and hydrocodone). Inform yourself.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergies or cough and cold medicines) because some of them are made up of substances that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist how to use them so that you can use them safely.
Warning about taking Zonisamide
Some medications may not be prescribed under certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed; Therefore, it is best for your doctor to be aware of the following before taking zonisamide:
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you have kidney or liver problems.
- If you have trouble breathing.
- If you have a problem such as depression or psychosis.
- If you have a special diet such as a ketogenic diet.
- If you have prolonged diarrhea.
- If you have a history of alcohol or marijuana use.
- If you are taking certain medications. These medicines include all the medicines available, whether you are prescribed them or taking them without a doctor's prescription, such as herbal medicines and complementary medicines.
- If you have a history of an allergic reaction to a drug.
Side effects of taking zonisamide
All medications can cause side effects. But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. Some of the side effects go away after a short time of taking the medicine. In case of persistent side effects, the physician should be informed:
a cold
Drowsiness
Lack of sleep
Lack of coordination
Vertigo
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Metabolic acidosis
Consult your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you feel may be due to the use of Zonisamide.
Side effects of Zonisamide overdose (Zonisamide poisoning)
Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.
If you feel that someone has been poisoned and you have symptoms such as shortness of breath, fainting and weakness (fainting), call the emergency room immediately.
Storage conditions of Zonisamide
Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
Store the medicine in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.