About zonisamide
Antiseizure medicine
Used for
- Treats partial-onset seizures in adults and children, alone or with other medicines.
Usual adult dose
Usually started at 100 mg once daily, increased gradually; typical maintenance is 400 mg daily.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 6 years and older, dosing is weight-based and increased gradually under specialist supervision.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, or poor coordination
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Nausea or stomach upset
- Kidney stones or reduced sweating
Important warnings
- May cause serious skin reactions or blood disorders.
- Can cause metabolic acidosis and kidney stones; adequate fluid intake is important.
- May impair alertness; use caution with driving or machinery.
- Do not stop suddenly, as seizures may worsen.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy planning and treatment choices should be discussed with a clinician.
Breastfeeding
Information is limited; zonisamide enters breast milk. Monitor the infant for sleepiness, poor feeding, or poor weight gain.
Interactions
- Other medicines that cause sleepiness may increase sedation.
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as topiramate, may increase acidosis or kidney-stone risk.
- Enzyme-inducing antiseizure medicines can lower zonisamide levels.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.