Zonisep 50 Capsule
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Zonisamide (50mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Benzisoxazole & Sulfonamide Derivatives |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | NEURO CNS |
| Action Class | Brain carbonic anhydrase inhibitors |
| User Rating | 4.4 |
| User Reviews | 504 |
FAQ
What are the effects of Zonisep 50 in children?
Zonisep 50 works well in children and is well tolerated by most of them. The common side effects in children include problems with thinking or behavior, followed by stomach upset. One dangerous side effect of Zonisep 50 in children is decreased sweating with fever. This affects children but not adults and is more common in summers.
My friend, who was on Zonisep 50, developed severe muscle pain with fever. What could this be due to?
Severe muscle pain or weakness, with or without fever, could be due to Zonisep 50. Consult your doctor immediately. The doctor may suggest some blood tests to check your levels of serum creatine phosphokinase and aldolase enzymes. Elevated levels of these enzymes may prompt the doctor to discontinue Zonisep 50.
What happens if I stop taking Zonisep 50?
Do not stop taking Zonisep 50 without talking to your doctor. Stopping Zonisep 50 suddenly may cause serious problems, including seizures that will not stop.
Does Zonisep 50 have any effect on kidneys?
Yes, if you are at a risk of developing kidney stones, taking Zonisep 50 may increase that risk. Stones can lead to further kidney damage. The symptoms of kidney stones include severe sharp pain in lower abdomen or back pain. Increase your fluid intake which can reduce the risk of kidney stones. Consult your doctor if you get any such symptoms.
I have been taking Zonisep 50 for epilepsy since a month, but now I feel that my life has come to an end and sometimes I want to harm myself. Is it because of the medicine? What should I do?
Though uncommon, Zonisep 50 may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Sometimes, it can also be due to the disease itself. You should immediately consult your doctor who will consider discontinuing Zonisep 50. We recommend that you take the help of your friend or relative to go to the hospital.
Does Zonisep 50 affect the working of birth control pills?
No, Zonisep 50 does not interfere with the working of birth control pills.
Does Zonisep 50 cause weight loss?
Yes, Zonisep 50 may cause weight loss. If you lose weight, consult a dietician for dietary supplement or try to increase your food portions. In case you lose a lot of weight, consider discontinuing Zonisep 50 after consulting your doctor. Weight loss may be more serious in children, so be cautious and keep monitoring the weight.
What if you forget to take Zonisep Capsule?
If you miss a dose of Zonisep 50, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Zonisep 50 Capsule Reviews
Zonisep 50 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.
Zonisep 50 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.
Zonisep 50 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.
How Zonisep 50 Capsule Works
Zonisep 50 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.
How to Use Zonisep 50 Capsule
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Zonisep 50 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Benefits of Zonisep 50 Capsule
- In Epilepsy/Seizures: Zonisep 50 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.
Uses of Zonisep 50 Capsule
- Epilepsy/Seizures
Zonisep 50 Capsule Side Effects
Safety Tips
Driving
UNSAFE
Zonisep 50 may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.As Zonisep 50 may affect your concentration, ability to react/respond, and may make you feel sleepy, particularly at the beginning of your treatment or after your dose is increased.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Zonisep 50 in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.Use of Zonisep 50 is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zonisep 50 may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
CAUTION
Zonisep 50 should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Zonisep 50 may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zonisep 50 is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Alcohol
UNSAFE
Zonisep 50 may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Quick Tips
- Take your medication regularly as directed by your doctor as missing doses can trigger seizures.
- Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.
- Take your medication on time.
- Do not change the brand of your medicine and make sure that you have sufficient amount of medicine present with you.
- Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.
- It may cause loss of appetite and weight. Monitor your weight regularly.
- Drink plenty of water while taking Zonisep 50 to reduce the risk of kidney stones and heat stroke. Inform your doctor if you have sudden pain in your stomach, pain on urinating, or if you find blood in your urine.
- Some healthy tips to prevent seizures:Take a healthy diet along with regular exercise.Practice yoga every day.Get enough sleep at nighttime.Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.Take your medication on time.
- Limit the use of screen time such as mobile/ laptop.
- Get enough sleep at nighttime.
- Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Practice yoga every day.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency.
References
- Zonisamide [FDA Label]. St. Michael, Barbados: Concordia Pharmaceuticals Inc.2015 [Revised April 2016].
- Porters RJ, Meldrum BS. Antiseizure Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 412.
- McNamara JO. Pharmacotherapy of the Epilepsies. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 602.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006. Zonisamide. [Updated 2020 Jan 20].
- Zonisamide [Package Leaflet]. Hatfield, UK: Eisai Manufacturing Ltd.; 2018.
- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1520-21.
- Zonisamide [Product Information]. Ahmedabad, India: Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.; 2022.
- Stahl SM, editor. Zonisamide. In: Stahl's Essential Pschopharmacology: Prescriber's Guide. 5th ed. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press; 2014. pp. 755-58.