Zonisamide (Systemic)
Brand Names : Zonegran
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding
to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against
the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For
zonisamide, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to zonisamide, or to sulfonamide antibiotics (for example,
Bactrim[reg ] or Septra[reg ]). Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you
are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Zonisamide has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that zonisamide causes birth defects
and other serious problems with the pregnancy. Before taking this medicine,
make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - Zonisamide has been shown to pass into breast
milk. However, it is not known whether this medicine causes problems in nursing
babies. Mothers who are taking zonisamide and who wish to breast-feed should
discuss this with their doctor.
Children - Safety and efficacy have not been established
in children who are under 16 years of age and is not approved for use.
Note:
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Studies in children have shown that some children are at higher risk
for oligohidrosis (decreased sweating) and hyperthermia (unusually high body
temperature), especially in warm or hot weather. This can sometimes result
in heat stroke and hospitalization. |
Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly
the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information
comparing use of zonisamide in the elderly with use in other age groups, this
medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older
people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
zonisamide, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know
if you are taking any of the following:
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Alcohol or
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Carbamazepine [e.g. Tegretol]) or
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Phenobarbital [e.g. Barbita or Mysoline] or
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Phenytoin [e.g. Dilantin] or
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Valproate [e.g. Depakote] - Taking any of these medicines with
zonisamide may decrease the amount of zonisamide in the blood, causing an
decrease in effectiveness, and a possible increase in seizure frequency
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Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps
or drying up a runny nose) or
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Acetazolamide [e.g., Diamox] or
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Dichlorphenamide [e.g., Daranide] or
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Methazolamide [e.g., Neptazane] - Side effects of zonisamide,
such as dryness of mouth or heat intolerance, may be more likely to occur
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Central nervous system depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness) - Using
these medicines or alcohol with zonisamide may cause increased drowsiness
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of zonisamide. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
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