What is zonisamide?
Zonisamide is a sulfa drug with anti-convulsant effects.
Zonisamide is used together with other anti-convulsant medications to treat partial seizures in adults with epilepsy.
Zonisamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about zonisamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to zonisamide, or to other sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). A sulfa drug allergic reaction can be fatal.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Do not stop using zonisamide without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using zonisamide suddenly. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using zonisamide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take zonisamide. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zonisamide?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to zonisamide, or to other sulfa drugs such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). A sulfa drug allergic reaction can be fatal.
To make sure you can safely take zonisamide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver disease;
kidney disease;
stomach flu or illness causing diarrhea;
a growth disorder;
a bone disorder that causes soft or weak bones or low bone mineral density;
asthma or other breathing problems;
a history of suicidal thoughts or actions; or
if you have been on a high-protein, low-carb diet.
You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.
Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
FDA pregnancy category C. Zonisamide can cause metabolic acidosis, which could harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
In animal studies, zonisamide caused birth defects and infant death. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people using doses recommended for human use. Ask your doctor about your personal risk.
Zonisamide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using zonisamide.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 16 years old without the advice of a doctor.