How to use it
Zonisamide should be taken as instructed by a qualified health care provider. Zonisamide is typically taken daily, either as a single or twice daily dose. Store zonisamide at room temperature away from heat and light.
Dosing
Zonisamide typically comes in a capsule form available in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg doses. Your health care provider will customize dosing based on various factors, including weight and how well you tolerate the medication, and may increase your dose over time. To help prevent kidney stones, take each dose of this medication with a full glass of water (with or without food). Do not crush, chew, or divide the capsules.
If you miss a dose, talk to your provider about what to do. Do not take a double dose.
If you wish to stop taking this medication, talk to your provider so they can guide you on how to taper and discontinue zonisamide safely.
Side effects
Do not take zonisamide if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs. A potentially fatal reaction can occur, including a life-threatening skin rash or a blood cell condition.
Before using zonisamide, tell your health care provider about your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, long-term diarrhea, lung or breathing problems, metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis, high ketone levels in your blood or urine, use insulin or other diabetes medications, and/or have a history of psychiatric disorders or suicidal thoughts.
Talk to your health care provider if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or perform any hazardous task until you know the effects of this medication on you.
Black Box Warning
Precautions
Do not take zonisamide if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs. A potentially fatal reaction can occur, including a life-threatening skin rash or a blood cell condition.
Before using zonisamide, tell your health care provider about your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, long-term diarrhea, lung or breathing problems, metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis, high ketone levels in your blood or urine, use insulin or other diabetes medications, and/or have a history of psychiatric disorders or suicidal thoughts.
Talk to your health care provider if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or perform any hazardous task until you know the effects of this medication on you.
Interactions
Some medications, herbal supplements, and foods can interact or interfere with zonisamide, including:
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (such as acetazolamide)
- Orlistat
- Phenobarbital
- Primidone
- Rifamycins
- Glucocorticoids
- St. John's wort
- Grapefruit or grapefruit juice
You should not drink alcohol while taking zonisamide.
