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Zonisamide - Uses - Dosages - Side Effects - Precautions

Zonisamide: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Zonisamide?

The drug Zonisamide belongs to the class of medication called an anticonvulsant. The drug decreases the electrical activity of the brain and is thus helpful in treating seizures.

Zonisamide is taken as a capsule once or twice daily, with or without food. The dose of the medication is taken at the same time each day to avoid missing on the drug. However, it is in your best interest that you do not ingest any medicine without the advice of an expert.

What are the Uses of Zonisamide?

Zonisamide comes under the brand name Zonegran. The medicine is helpful to treat seizures along with other medications.

Zonisamide is safe and effective and can be used by even children below the age of 16 years. However, do not self-medicate the drug. Always consult your doctor before you include such medicines in your routine.

The drug is used for other purposes as well. Take a medical opinion before using the medicine.

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What are the Side Effects of Zonisamide?

The drugs may cause serious side effects like –

  • Severe allergic reactions in the body
  • High-grade fever
  • Eye problems
  • Suicidal thoughts in some people
  • Increased level of acidity in the blood
  • Problems with concentrating and being attentive
  • Reduced red and white blood cell count
  • Problems in speech, thinking, memory, or language

Eye problems can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated timely. Seek medical intervention in such instances with Yashoda Hospitals to avoid any life-threatening issues.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Zonisamide

1. What does Zonisamide do to the brain?

Zonisamide is an effective drug to treat seizures when used in combination with other medications.

Its sole function is to suppress the abnormal electrical activity of the brain to manage the symptoms of seizures.

If you are a sufferer of disorders like seizures, this can be the choice of drug for you, provided you take it under the doctor's guidance.

2. Is Zonisamide a controlled substance?

Zonisamide is an anti-seizure drug under the class of anticonvulsant.

Long-term usage of anti-seizure drugs may make you accustomed to it. Doctors slowly reduce your dosage if he considers the drug will do you more harm than benefit.

Drugs like Zonisamide should not be started or stopped before consulting a doctor. If you anticipate you are having control issues with the drug, immediately talk to your doctor.

3. Can I give Zonisamide and Levetiracetam?

When drugs are taken in combination, extra caution has to be maintained to avoid any interactions between the drugs.

Only experts can verify which drug is safe for you after considering a host of factors.

Zonisamide, when taken along with Levetiracetam, causes no such interactions. Both drugs are safe to be used together.

4. Does Zonisamide cause hair fall?

Zonisamide shows severe side effects. With overdosage or intolerance to the drug, patients may also have vision loss.

The other side effects include allergies, fever, problems in talking, thinking, etc.

With all of the side effects, hair loss nevertheless does not fall under this category. Therefore people taking Zonisamide do not face hair fall issues.

5. How long for Zonisamide to work?

Zonisamide takes around two weeks to come into full effect. Doctors prescribe this drug only after weighing the pros and cons of the medicine. They make sure that you can reasonably tolerate the drug and that the body does not react abnormally to it.

Zonisamide can cause controlling issues, therefore, do not increase the dosage or stop using it abruptly without the doctor's advice.

6. Does Zonisamide cause weight loss?

One of the side effects of the drug is loss of appetite. This gradually results in weight loss of the patient.

While using this drug, take proper care of your health. Eat nutritious food to balance the required weight so that you do not lose your health any further.

Talk to your doctor if you are facing significant issues related to your health. He will change your drug routine based on your body's needs.

7. Is Zonisamide used for anxiety?

Zonisamide causes side effects like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

The drug is effective in treating seizures, but it may result in being a controlling substance with prolonged use.

A few patients have been reported to face problems withdrawing from the drug. Therefore, doctors recommend using the drug only after proper consultation and in expert surveillance.

8. Is Zonisamide used for sleep?

Zonisamide works to treat seizure patients. It has an array of side effects. However, your doctor will recommend you to this drug only after he does a complete evaluation of your overall health and interaction with drugs.

One of the side effects of the medicine is that it causes sleepiness. It is advised you do not drive or indulge in any risky activities under the effect of this drug.

9. How quickly does Zonisamide work?

It takes around two weeks for the drug to function. It is an effective drug for seizure patients, and it is used with a combination of other medications.

This drug can cause severe health adversities if not taken in a proper dosage. Consult your doctor if you are suffering from a problem like a seizure. They will suggest the most suitable medicine after taking your history.

10. Is Zonisamide a mood stabilizer?

The drug is mainly used to treat seizures. Few studies have shown it helps to stabilize the patient's mood.

However, the drug is not solely prescribed as a mood lifter. Your doctor will review your health and specify the needed medications.

The drug consists of severe side effects and controlling issues, therefore taking expert advice before taking medicine.

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Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.