Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Zonegran, Zonisade
- Anticonvulsants, Other
Description
Sulfonamide anticonvulsant
Used for adjunctive treatment of partial seizures
Monitor for suicidal thoughts/behavior or depression
Indications
Indicated as adjunctive therapy for partial seizures
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to zonisamide or sulfonamides
Adverse Effects
- Somnolence (17%)
- Anorexia (13%)
- Dizziness (13%)
- Headache (10%)
- Nausea (9%)
- Agitation/irritability (9%)
- Fatigue (8%)
- Tiredness (7%)
- Abdominal pain (6%)
- Ataxia (6%)
- Confusion (6%)
- Depression (6%)
- Diplopia (6%)
- Insomnia (6%)
- Difficulty concentrating (6%)
- Difficulty with memory (6%)
- Diarrhea (5%)
- Speech disorder (5%)
- Flu-like symptoms (4%)
- Mental slowing (4%)
- Nystagmus (4%)
- Paresthesia (4%)
- Dyspepsia (3%)
- Weight loss (3%)
- Anxiety (3%)
- Rash (3%)
- Constipation (2%)
- Rhinitis (2%)
- Difficulty with verbal expression (2%)
- Ecchymosis (2%)
- Xerostomia (2%)
- Nervousness (2%)
- Schizophrenic/schizophreniform behavior (2%)
- Taste perversion (2%)
Warnings
Rare reports of serious hematologic events (2 confirmed cases of aplastic anemia and 1 confirmed case of agranulocytosis)
As with other antiepileptic drugs, may increase risk of seizure frequency and status epilepticus with abrupt withdrawal
Potential for teratogenic effects; advise females of childbearing potential to use effective contraception
May cause kidney stones; in general, increasing fluid intake and urine output can help reduce risk of stone formation, particularly in those with predisposing risk factors
Increased risk of serum creatinine and BUN
Unclear for clinical trials if increases risk of status epilepticus
Pregnancy and Lactation
Based on findings from animal studies, may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant females
Zonisamide causes metabolic acidosis in humans
Readily transferred to human milk, with reported milk-to-plasma ratio ranging between 0.7 to 0.9
There are no data of effect on milk production
Maximum Dosage
600 mg/day PO.
600 mg/day PO.
16 to 17 years: 600 mg/day PO.
1 to 15 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established; 12 mg/kg/day PO has been suggested.
Safety and efficacy have not been established; 12 mg/kg/day PO has been suggested.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Safety and efficacy have not been established.
How supplied
Zonisamide
capsule
- 25mg (Zonegran; generic)
- 100mg (Zonegran; generic)
oral suspension
- 100mg/5mL (Zonisade)