Zonegran Tablet (Zonisamide)

Zonegran Tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures in epilepsy. It can be used by itself to treat adults or along with other medicines to treat adults and children. It helps to prevent seizures affecting a part or whole of the brain.

Zonegran Tablet suppresses the abnormal electrical activity in the brain. You can take it with or without food but try to take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit. The dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. Your doctor will advise the right dose for you.

You should continue taking it for as long as your doctor has told you to, even if you feel well. If you stop or miss doses your seizures could get worse. It may take several months to come off it safely. It is advised not to change the brand of medication without doctor consultation, and always keep a stock of medicine with you.

Very few people taking it have any serious problems but the most common side effects of this medicine include dizziness, loss of appetite, memory loss, drowsiness, and impaired concentration. You may also experience altered walking, impaired coordination, and unusual anger. Side effects are more common during the first few weeks and usually lessen as your body gets used to the medicine. Most do not need medical attention, but some of them can be serious. Let your doctor know if you have any symptoms as there may be ways of preventing or reducing them.

A small number of people being treated with this medicine have had thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Contact your doctor if your mood changes for the worse. Please do not take this medicine if you are allergic to sulfa medicines.

Before taking it, you should tell your doctor if you have kidney problems, depression or suicidal thoughts and if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Alcohol may increase the risk of seizures and worsen the side effects such as drowsiness and dizziness. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Drowsiness and dizziness may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Your kidney function may need to be tested often while taking this medicine.

USES OF ZONEGRAN TABLET

• Epilepsy/Seizures

BENEFITS OF ZONEGRAN TABLET

In Epilepsy/Seizures

Zonegran Tablet slows down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures (fits). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this time you may still have seizures. Do not stop using this medicine even if you feel well, until your doctor advises you to. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ZONEGRAN TABLET

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Zonegran

• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Memory impairment
• Drowsiness
• Impaired concentration
• Altered walking
• Impaired coordination
• Anger

HOW TO USE ZONEGRAN TABLET

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Zonegran Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW ZONEGRAN TABLET WORKS

Zonegran Tablet is an antiepileptic medication. It prevents seizures in patients with epilepsy by suppressing the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.