Zonegran

What is Zonegran?

Zonegran is a prescription medication that is used in conjunction with other medications to treat part-time seizures in teenagers and adults aged at least 16 years.

Zonegran is a member of a group of drugs known as anticonvulsants. Zonisamide is a drug that reduces abnormal electrical activity within the brain.

Warnings

Zonegran could cause a severe skin reaction that could be fatal. Consult your doctor now if you experience an itch or redness on your skin that grows and causes blisters as well as peeling.The Zonegran effect can result in less sweating as well as an increase in internal temperature (fever). Children and those who live in hot climates could be more likely to suffer from this side effect.By taking Zonegran, you could suffer a permanent loss of vision. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any redness or eye pain or if you notice any changes in your vision.

People consider suicide while using zonisamide. Pay attention to any shifts in your mood or symptoms. Inform your doctor. If you notice any changes or worsening symptoms.

Inform your doctor about any new or deteriorating symptoms for treatment, including changes in behavior or mood such as anxiety, panic attacks, and trouble sleeping. Also, when you are feeling uncontrollably angry, irritable, aggressive, anxious, hyperactive (mentally and physically), depressed, contemplating suicide, or harming yourself,

The effects of Zonegran can affect your ability to think or react. Be aware if you are driving or engaging in any activity that requires the use of your brain. Do not stop taking this medication without speaking with your doctor, even if you feel well. It is possible that you will experience increased seizures after stopping Zonegran abruptly. You might need to use less and less until you completely stop taking the medication.

Before you take this drug

You don’t need to use Zonegran 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 reaction to a sulfa-containing drug could result in death.

You might not be able to use Zonegran if you have been a victim of an extreme allergic reaction to sulfa medications.

To ensure that Zonegran is suitable for you, ask your doctor if you've previously had:

• Ammonia levels that are high;
• Diarrhea;
• A growth issue;
• Bone disease that can cause weak or soft bones or low bone mineral density
• The mood, depression suicidal or suicidal actions,
• If you've had metabolic acidosis (too many acids present in the blood),
• If you've been following the ketogenic diet (high-fat or high-protein and low-carb),
• The liver condition
• Kidney disease.

Many people contemplate suicide when taking Zonegran. Your doctor must examine your improvement regularly. Be aware of fluctuations in mood or symptoms. Family members or caregivers are also required to be on the lookout for abrupt changes in your behavior.

Could harm a pregnant child. Use birth control during the time you take this medicine and at least for one month following your last dose. Contact your doctor immediately in the event of a pregnancy.

If you're pregnant, then your name might be added to the pregnancy registry to monitor how zonisamide affects the baby. The infant.Consult your doctor to determine whether it is safe to breastfeed while taking this medication.

How to take Zonegran?

Use Zonegran exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and review all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may modify your dosage.It is possible to take Zonegran without or with food. Drink plenty of fluids when you take this medication.Take the capsule in its entirety and don't crush, chew, break, crack, or even break it open.

Then shake it up to mix the oral suspension (liquid). Take a dosage using the measuring device supplied (not a spoon from the kitchen).You'll need kidney function and blood tests prior to and during the treatment using Zonegran.

The risk of having seizures increases if you stop taking Zonegran abruptly. Consult your physician before removing the medication. Follow the instructions of your doctor when tapering your dosage.Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they suffer from similar symptoms to yours.Discard the oral suspension after 30 days, even if there's some medicine remaining in it.Keep at room temperature, free of heat, moisture, and light.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:

Ages 16 or older:
Initial dosage: 100 mg orally every day, once
Titration: After two weeks of 100 mg/day, the dosage can be increased to 200 mg/day either as a single dose or as a divided dose (100 mg taken orally twice every day) for a minimum of two weeks. The dose could then be increased to 300 mg/day or 400 mg/day, either in one daily dose or divided into two daily doses, keeping the dosage stable for at least 2 weeks to attain a stable condition at every level.
Maintenance dose: 400 mg/day
Maximum dose: 600 mg/day
Comments:
The medication is taken either with or with food.
Capsules should be swallowed in their entirety.
Due to the extended half-life of this medication, it could take up to 2 weeks to reach steady-state levels once you have reached the level of stability or made dose adjustments.
The prescriber might want to extend the length of treatment in lower doses to thoroughly evaluate this medication in a steady state (noting that most of the adverse reactions occur more frequently in doses of 300 mg/day and beyond). While there is evidence of a greater response at doses of 200 to 100 mg/day, the difference is not significant, and studies on dose response haven't been conducted.
Use: As a therapy adjunctive to partial seizures.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures:

Ages less than 16 years old: not recommended. Age Do not recommend it for those under 16 years of age.
Ages 16 or older: Refer to adult dosage.

What happens if I miss a dose?

You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but do not take your missed dose if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Some symptoms of an overdose include a low heart rate as well as feeling lightheaded, fainting, or having a shallow or slow breath.

Avoid this

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of this medication on your body. The way you react could be affected.

Consuming alcohol while taking this medication may cause unwanted side effects.

Side effects of Zonegran

Seek medical attention immediately. If you show symptoms that indicate an allergy reaction to the Zonegran (hives, breathing problems, or a swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, eye burning, irritation, purple or red skin rash, blisters, as well as peeling),

Contact your physician immediately in the event of any recent or sudden changes in your mood or behavior, which could include more or worse depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and trouble sleeping, or if you are feeling uncontrollably angry, frustrated, and aggressive, anxious, more active, or agitated, or if you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself.

Zonegran may cause serious side effects. Contact your physician immediately. If you suffer from:

• Eye redness or pain, or any changes to your vision
• Less sweating, but feeling extremely hot.
• Seizures that are getting worse or more frequent;
• Any skin rash, regardless of how minor;
• Indicators for metabolic acidosis: confusion, dizziness, inability to focus, irregular heartbeats
• Signs of blood cell disorders, including chills, fever, and body aches. Also, flu-like symptoms, as well as sores in your throat and mouth,
• Symptoms of kidney stones pain in your lower back or on your side or lower back; urine that is bloody; stomach pain; a hard or uncomfortable urination;
• Extreme skin reactions that cause fever, a sore throat, swelling on your tongue or face, burning eyes, and pain in the skin that is followed by an erupting red or purple rash that grows (especially on the face or the upper part of the body) and can cause blisters and peeling.

Common Zonegran side effects can include:

• Drowsiness, dizziness;
• Issues with memory or difficulty concentrating;
• Feeling irritable or agitated;
• Loss of coordination, difficulty walking loss of coordination, trouble walking

This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Combining Zonegran with other medications that cause you to feel drowsy could cause more drowsiness. Consult your physician before taking Zinggran along with a sleeping medication, painkiller, narcotic medication, muscle relaxer, or medication to treat seizures or anxiety.

Other medications can interfere with zonisamide. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Discuss with your doctor all the other medications you are taking.