What is Zonegran? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Zonegran

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, chew, or open it.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, chew, or open it.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Zonegran

Zonegran contraindications - Who shouldn't take Zonegran?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to zonisamide or other sulfa drugs.

Zonegran warnings

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely. Your seizures may increase if you stop taking this medicine suddenly.

• This medicine may make you sweat less and cause your body temperature to increase. Use caution when you exercise or if you are outside in hot weather.

• This medicine lowers the number of white blood cells. This weakens your immune system, so you may get infections more easily. Wash your hands often. Avoid people who are sick.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Serious skin reactionsDrug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which may damage the liver, kidney, blood, heart, or musclesEye or vision problems, including acute myopia, secondary angle closure glaucomaChanges in mood or behavior, including suicidal thoughts or behaviorMetabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood), which can lead to kidney stones and slow growth in childrenProblems with concentration, attention, memory, thinking, speech, or languageHyperammonemia (too much ammonia in your blood), which may damage the brain and can be life-threatening

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, breathing or lung problems, bone problems (including osteomalacia, osteopenia, osteoporosis), or a history of depression or metabolic acidosis.

Zonegran interactions & what to avoid when taking Zonegran

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely. Your seizures may increase if you stop taking this medicine suddenly.

• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

• Some medicines can affect how zonisamide works. Tell your doctor if you use acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, digoxin, quinidine, rifampicin, or topiramate.

• Tell your doctor if you are on a ketogenic diet (high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet).