About zonisamide
Antiseizure medicine
Used for
- Add-on treatment for partial-onset seizures in adults and children aged 6 years and older.
- Sometimes used alone for partial-onset seizures in adults, depending on local approval.
Usual adult dose
Usually started at 100 mg once daily, then increased gradually; typical maintenance is 300–400 mg daily.
Usual dose in children
For ages 6 years and older, typically started at 1 mg/kg once daily and increased gradually; usual maintenance is 6–8 mg/kg daily, maximum 500 mg.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, or problems with coordination
- Reduced appetite or weight loss
- Nausea or headache
- Kidney stones or rash
Important warnings
- Can cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome.
- May reduce sweating and cause overheating, especially in children.
- Can cause metabolic acidosis and kidney stones.
- Do not stop suddenly; this may worsen seizures.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby; pregnancy planning and treatment need specialist review. Do not stop suddenly during pregnancy.
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.
- Carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital can lower zonisamide levels.
- Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may increase acidosis or kidney-stone risk.
- May affect levels of some medicines processed by liver enzymes.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.