The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
zonisamide for Migraine Prevention: I did experience some appetite loss at 1st, which was OK because I wanted to loss about 5 pounds-but I started gaining weight, face was puffy, while eating very little and no decrease in exercise. The worst, however, was the onset of depression and feeling of hopelessness. I was up to 100 mg a day, on it for 2-3 weeks, and stopped cold turkey.
Taking Topamax, years ago, did help with headaches and I lost weight (actually too much in beginning but body adjusted) but I also lost word facility. Not good trade off so I had to go off Topamax.
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Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: I was on this medicine at first 200mg a day then 400mg. I turned into a completely different person. I'm normally a happy, positive & outgoing young woman. On Zonisamide I became extremely irritable & depressed. I flipped out over the littlest thing. I also lost a lot of weight because my appetite essentially disappeared. I weighed about 135lbs when I started and dropped to 113lbs. I finally had enough when the depression kicked in. I would have suicidal thoughts multiple times a day. It was scary and debilitating! I cried a lot, for no good reason. My performance at work and my relationships were suffering so I called my Dr. and switched to Lamictal.
zonisamide for Migraine Prevention: I have chronic headaches (>15 per month) and tried many treatments that did not help: Botox, Topamax, and others. With zonisamide my headaches are mostly limited to just the week before my period.
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention: I've been taking Zonegran for a few years now at 300mg per day. It had really gotten my headaches under control to where I would only have a headache periodically. Weight loss has been a side effect that I haven't minded. The problem is I've had significant memory and focus issues. I hardly felt competent most of the time. I have slowly weened myself down to 100mgs per day (I notified my neurologist of this because its an anti-seizure medicine so you shouldn't stop it cold turkey or it could cause a seizure). My memory has improved significantly, but the headaches have returned with a vengeance. I'm back to taking narcotics to address each debilitating headache. I used to take Topamax. It too worked beautifully, but also wiped out the memory.
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Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: On maximum dose with Keppra, and still having some break through seizures. Still less then I was having before. No side effects. Had a full term pregnancy while on medication. Baby is very healthy.
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: I have recently been on Topamax and Keppra..both maxed out. My headaches were worst and my seizures were still happening. My doctor finally switched me to Zonagran 3 months ago. I am seizure free, headaches have been much better and I feel a lot more normal. I do have a low appetite but not to where I can't eat. I love it!
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention: I have used Zonegran for headaches only. It is the only thing that seems to have lessened them somewhat, but I still have headaches and they affect me cognitively. I'm mentally slower, have word-finding problems, my memory is bad, and my attention is terrible. I've tried to go off it on occasion, but my headaches get absolutely awful, so I stay on it.
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Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention: I just got put on this medication for migraines. I took Topamax in the past but side effects were way too much for me.
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Zonegran (zonisamide): My Dr. put me on Zonegran for my migraines and I was just wondering if anyone else is on this for just that? I have only been on this for 5 weeks so that is why I was curious.
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: The medication wasn't helpful in controlling my seizures. It's been about five months and I have had painful migraines just about every day! One day we'll find one that works!
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: No seizures while taking but have had bad bruising and constipation going on 2 years now. But I'll take no seizures over the side effects!
zonisamide for Seizures: Been on Zonisamide for maybe 3 years, probably more, can't remember exactly; no grand mal seizures what so ever. Try not to take it late at night though. Take 3 pills all at once, any time during morning hours, or even early afternoon. But this is the best for me, anyhow.
zonisamide for Seizures: I take Zonisamide with Tegretol and it works great in controlling my seizures. I do have loss of memory, stuttering, and itchy skin. All of these have occurred in the last year and I've been taking it for 2.5 years.
Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: So far this is my choice of seizure medicines (complex partial and absence). Dilantin makes me sleepy, Tegretol and Topamax both gave me migraines. No seizures AND no headaches, yay! Zonegran does leave me a bit fatigued, and seems to lessen the appetite (but that's not really a bad thing).
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Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: I've been on this for over 6 months now and seizure free since then. I do have a very mild loss in appetite, but that has not stopped me from eating, only how much I eat. Side effects are the lowest overall from all the other medicines I've been on in the past (Topomax, Triliptal, Depakote & Phenobarbital). Best of all it's only once a day!
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Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures: I love Zonegran. I have no seizures while on this medicine. The only time I experienced a partial seizure was recently when I began including yogurt in my daily diet. Since I excluded that I'm seizure free again.
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Valproate Anti-Seizure Products: Drug Safety Communication - Contraindicated for Pregnant Women for Prevention of Migraine Headaches Including valproate sodium...
Pregnant women who struggle with migraine headaches should never use medicines containing the ingredient valproate because they can lower the IQ scores of...