Warnings


What may interact with Zonisamide?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

-acetazolamide
-antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-atropine
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate, valproic acid
-certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
-certain medicines for Parkinson''s disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl
-dichlorphenamide
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-ipratropium
-medicines that relax muscles for surgery
-narcotic medicines for pain
-phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
-rifampin

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Zonisamide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-kidney disease
-liver disease
-low level of bicarbonate in the blood
-lung or breathing disease, like asthma
-suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
-an unusual or allergic reaction to zonisamide, sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Zonisamide?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Wear a medical ID bracelet or chain. Carry a card that describes your disease and details of your medicine and dosage times.

Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Tell your health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

This medicine can reduce the response of your body to heat or cold. Dress warm in cold weather and stay hydrated in hot weather. If possible, avoid extreme temperatures like saunas, hot tubs, very hot or cold showers, or activities that can cause dehydration such as vigorous exercise.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

If you or your family notice any changes in your behavior, such as new or worsening depression, thoughts of harming yourself, anxiety, other unusual or disturbing thoughts, or memory loss, call your health care professional right away.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep in a dry place protected from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.