Zonisamide (Zonegran) Tips from Pharmacists

• Your health care provider will start you on a low dose of zonisamide and gradually increase the dose no more frequently than once every 2 weeks. Follow your provider’s dosing instructions carefully. Do not change the dose or dosing frequency without your doctor’s approval.

• Use a dose measuring cup or syringe to measure liquid medicine. Do not use a regular household spoon from your kitchen - this can result in wrong dosing.

• You can take zonisamide with or without food. Try to take it around the same time every day.

• Zonisamide can cause dizziness, drowsiness, vision changes, and balance problems. Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.

• Stay well hydrated to prevent kidney stones.

• Avoid drinking alcohol while on zonisamide. Alcohol can make zonisamide side effects like dizziness, coordination problems, and reduced alertness worse. 

• Zonisamide can help to control your seizures but will not cure epilepsy. Continue taking it even if your seizures are well controlled. Do not suddenly stop zonisamide as this can result in worsening seizures and status epilepticus. Your doctor will tell you how to lower the dose slowly.