You should not use Zonegran if you are allergic to zonisamide, or to other sulfa such as sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim, SMX-TMP, and others). A sulfa drug allergic reaction can be fatal.
Taking Zonegran can cause permanent vision loss. Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye pain or redness or any changes in your vision.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking zonisamide. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Topamax And Interactions Other Drugs Alcohol And More
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.
Zonegran may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Do not stop using this medicine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel fine. You may have increased seizures if you stop using Zonegran 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 Zonegran. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Drug Reference Sheet
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking Zonegran. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of zonisamide on the baby.
Zonegran: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Take Zonegran exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Do not stop using Zonegran suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
Titration: After 2 weeks at 100 mg/day, the dose may be increased to 200 mg/day as either a single or divided dose (100 mg orally 2 times a day) for at least 2 weeks; it can then be increased to 300 mg/day, then 400 mg/day either as a single daily dose or divided into 2 daily doses, with the dose stable for at least 2 weeks to achieve steady state at each level
Because of the long half-life of this drug, up to 2 weeks may be required to achieve steady state levels upon reaching a stable dose or following dosage adjustment.
The prescriber may wish to prolong the duration of treatment at the lower doses in order to fully assess the effects of this drug at steady state (noting that many of the side effects are more frequent at doses of 300 mg per day and above). Although there is some evidence of greater response at doses above 100 to 200 mg/day, the increase appears small and formal dose response studies have not been conducted.
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zonegran: any form of skin rash, hives; fever, swollen glands, feeling weak or tired, severe muscle pain, unusual bruising or bleeding; yellowing of your skin or eyes; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: sudden mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Taking this medicine with other that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking Zonegran with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or depression.
Other may interact with zonisamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Zonegran only for the indication prescribed.
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