Zonegran Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by unusual activity in the brain. It manifests in seizures, which can range from almost imperceptible to extremely serious. Patients are typically diagnosed with epilepsy if they have had at least two seizure episodes.

Zonegran Active Ingredient

Generic Zonegran Alternative:  Zonegran

Zonegran contains the active ingredient zonisamide, an anticonvulsant. Zonegran helps to prevent and control seizures.

General Drug Information

What is Zonegran and What Is It Used For?

Zonegran is prescribed to patients suffering from epilepsy. The drug is an anticonvulsant which helps to prevent seizures and reduce their severity.

Usage and Application

Most patients are prescribed one or two daily oral doses of Zonegran, with or without food. The exact dosage depends on the patient’s medical condition and response to treatment.

The treating physician may often prescribe a low dose at the beginning of treatment, increasing it gradually. This helps to avoid negative side effects. It may take several weeks or months to reach the optimal dose. Patients – or their guardians – should follow the doctor’s instructions closely.

Swallow the capsule whole. Drink plenty of fluids in order to prevent kidney stones from forming.

It is important to use Zonegran regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Zonegran works best when the amount of medication in the body is kept at a constant level. Patients should take Zonegran at the same time each day.

Patients who wish to stop this medication should consult their physician first. Stopping Zonegran suddenly may worsen some conditions. A patient’s dose must be decreased gradually.

Tell your doctor if the patient’s condition fails to improve or worsens.

Considerations Before Taking Zonegran

Before starting treatment, patients should tell their doctor if they have any allergies to the drug or its active ingredient, zonisamide. If you shop for Zonegran online, note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name zonisamide.

It is important to discuss a patient’s medical history, especially regarding kidney disease, liver disease, breathing problems, or persistent diarrhea. Patients should also mention if they follow a ketogenic diet, suffer from metabolic imbalance, or have experienced mental problems like depression or psychosis.

Zonegran may cause dizziness. Patients should not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until they are in condition to do so safely. Alcohol and marijuana can exacerbate dizziness, so patients should avoid alcoholic beverages and discuss their marijuana use with their doctor.

Before surgery or certain dental procedures, patients should tell their doctor or dentist about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal products they are taking.

Zonegran may make patients sweat less, increasing the risk of heat stroke. Patients should avoid activities that may cause them to overheat (e.g. exercising in hot weather, using hot tubs). On hot days, patients should drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly. If they experience overheating, they should go to a place where they can cool down and rest.

Seek immediate medical help in the event of symptoms like persistent fever, mood changes, headache, and dizziness.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the negative side effects of Zonegran, especially dizziness, lightheadedness, and lack of coordination. This can increase the risk of falling.

Children may be more likely to experience decreased sweating, heat stroke, and metabolic imbalance.

Pregnant women need to discuss the risks and benefits of Zonegran with their doctor, and should only use it when clearly needed. Zonegran may harm an unborn baby, however, untreated seizures are a serious condition. Women should not stop taking this medication unless directed by their doctor.

Zonegran passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding mothers need to consult their doctor before using this medication.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Zonegran should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose to catch up.

Other Medications and Zonegran

Drug interactions may change the way Zonegran works, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – like the weight loss drug Xenical – may interact negatively with Zonegran. The same is the case with the altitude sickness medication acetazolamide.

Other medications can affect the removal of Zonegran from the body, affecting how it works. Examples include antibiotics like rifabutin and the herb St. John's wort. The list also includes certain anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone.

Patients should inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness. Examples include muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (codeine), and antihistamines (cetirizine and diphenhydramine).

Alcohol or marijuana have similar effects, as do sleep and anxiety medications like alprazolam, diazepam, and zolpidem.

Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that may cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

This document does not contain a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult with your physician before buying Zonegran.

Adverse Reactions

Many patients are able to take Zonegran safely without serious side effects.

Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and lack of concentration. Some patients may experience insomnia, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and double vision. Please alert your physician should these effects persist or worsen.

Serious side effects can include a number of mental or mood problems: confusion, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, agitation, and irritability. Patients should also monitor for speech problems, decreased sweating, stomach pain, and painful urination.

A small number of people who take anticonvulsants may experience depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental problems. Patients should contact their doctor immediately in the event they notice any unusual changes in their mood, thoughts, or behavior.

Zonegran may cause a serious metabolic problem, known as metabolic acidosis. Patients should seek immediate medical help in the event they experience symptoms like bone pain, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, and unexplained tiredness. Severe drowsiness and difficulty staying awake should also be reported.

Serious side effects include easy bruising or bleeding, as well as signs of kidney problems which may include changes in the amount of urine, as well as pink or bloody urine. Patients should also monitor for any signs of liver problems including persistent nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes and/or skin, and dark urine.

Serious allergic reactions to Zonegran are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergic symptoms such as rash, itching, and swelling (especially of the face, tongue, and throat), severe dizziness, and trouble breathing. Patients should seek immediate medical assistance in the event of such symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Before ordering Zonegran online, discuss possible side effects with your doctor.

How to Store Zonegran

Zonegran should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.