Zonisamide User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Zonegran, Zonisade

Zonisamide has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 141 reviews on Drugs.com. 38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Zonisamide

Sherr...
Taken for 10 years or more
August 18, 2021

For Seizures "My husband has suffered three major strokes since 2007. The final one in 2008 left him with partial complex seizures. He was given Tegretol 300 mg twice a day. This didn't stop his seizures and then he was given 300 mg twice a day of Zonegram (Generic Zonisimide) in addition to the Tegretol. His seizures have been controlled and the side effects have been minimal except for the extreme loss of appetite and sleepiness. He was a robust 230 pounds when starting this medicine and now barely weighs 150 pounds. He is physically impaired and practically bedridden due to the weight loss and muscle loss. I am also suspect that it affected his dental health as he kept losing his teeth one by one until he has full dentures now. I know that the weight loss may have been due in part to his dental issues but I have read the many reviews concerning weight loss which I believe is being caused in part to this medication. He has also experienced light headedness and short term memory loss."

9 / 10

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The...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
August 25, 2022

For Seizures "I've been on Zonisamide for about 3.5 years now to control my grandmal seizures. From early on at 200mg I noticed some "fog" and chronic depression, but it was manageable and more importantly the seizures were controlled. Later I went up to 300mg when my auras returned, and now I'm in a really bad way. I'm extremely irritable. I get angry over little things and stay angry. I lose my thought mid sentence at least 10 times a day. It's really damaging my relationships and self-efficacy."

3 / 10

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Laur
Taken for 1 to 2 years
September 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have had uncontrolled atypical migraines for 31 years. Reading over this I noticed so this is why my migraines are so much better, it is I am now on 200 mg zonisamide for seizures. My migraines don't seem as bad. None of the doctors knew this was a choice drug for treatment of migraines. Sometimes I'm a better doctor than the doctors are."

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Rose
April 25, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I took it during 5 months. At the beginning everything was great, I finally stopped having headaches all the time. Time passed and I was only getting more side effects. I could sleep 12 hours and still be sleepy, I had trouble with memory and concentration, I basically couldn’t read too many phrases because I was getting confused. It came to a point where I noticed that I had an enormous amount of anxiety, social panic, I was getting depersonalization feeling behind the cloud like I wasn’t here, like I wasn’t myself. 0 spontaneity and willingness to do anything. I decided to stop it. It can’t be helping one problem but causing so many others. I will see which other solution I can get now for my migraines cause they are starting to come back as the medicine is clearing out of my system. (tried topiramax before and it went awful after the first pill). This is to say, all the other side effects that I mentioned went away after I stopped it, so it was definitely its job."

1 / 10

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Anonymous
June 9, 2018

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking zonegran for migraines for about a month. It has helped tremendously. Unfortunately the past few days my eyes have been in so much pain. And that is causing my head to hurt. I am wondering will this side effect go away?"

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Heada...
February 5, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Love this medicine. Been on it since 2002 with little to no side effects. When neurologists bumped me up to 300 mg a day consistently started having some neuropathy in my feet but bumped back down to 200mg and have had no issues. This medicine gave me my life back. Went from having daily debilitating migraines to bring able to function again. Have never been able to wean off. Thankful for it!"

9 / 10

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Ashlee
Taken for 1 to 6 months
September 9, 2021

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention "I started using Topamax and had a full body reaction so my neurologist switched to Zonegran. I have been taking 300mg for awhile and I no longer have migraines but I now have acne that I have never experienced before. It’s starting to get so bad that I’ve considered stopping this medication. Aside from the acne, it really does help with the migraines."

7 / 10

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mikl_...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
January 16, 2023

For Benign Essential Tremor "I have been on and off zonisamide over the years but have found it hasn't helped with my essential tremor in the past but has helped improve my mood. I'm currently back on it as my neurologist wants me to try it again. He is hesitant to try primidone again for several reasons. I'm on 300 mg/day currently as of 1/16/2023."

4 / 10

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Fever...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
December 28, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Migraines started after my hysterectomy in 2010. They have worsened since to the point now they are at least 3 times a week and debilitating. Was on several maintenance meds including topamax which worked for a while but always stopped working over time. The topamax worked over a year but caused horrible buzzing in my head, which neuro prescribed amitryptilline for. That did nothing lol. Eventually I began seeing an awesome neuro P.A. who started me on zonisamide 100 mg, then upped to 200 mg after a month cause headaches were creeping back. Just this week I had to call him again for the same reason plus the buzzing has started again....sigh. still, zonisamide does seem to work well. I just need the right dose."

6 / 10

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Tami
Taken for 1 to 2 years
May 6, 2023

For Seizures "This medication has worked wonders for my seizures which is amazing! My weight loss is extreme! I've lost over 50 lb in 1 1/2 years. At first, it was a welcome change, my appetite lessened to one meal a day. But now at 100 lb it's too much! It doesn't seem to matter how much I force myself to eat!"

7 / 10

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Lisa
Taken for less than 1 month
November 12, 2021

For Seizures "I started having seizures after 3 months of giving birth to my son by c section in 1999. My first Dr put me on zonagran and I was seizure free, but then lost my health insurance due to a divorce, so I moved back to SC, they put me on phenobarbital? Omg no .Then Depakote and that was worse. So I finally got my new neurologist to give zonagran again, just picked it up tonight. It worked for me back then so I'm hoping as I've age it's still gonna be the best for me. We are all different and we know what works for us Praying this will be my magic drug again. I don't remember any bad side effects. I just don't know why we have to fight tooth and nail to get our disability. I have a court hearing I'm Feb of 2022. Been fighting them for 5 year's. I don't drive anymore and already. Wish me luck"

8 / 10

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Aggasi
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
July 25, 2021

For Seizures "I have been on this drug for almost 1 year. Originally the doctor wanted me to titrate up to 300mg a day. Starting with 100mg the first week. By day 3, I was afraid to leave the house because of how frequently I was having daily bowel movements. 10+ times a day. And it was loose as if I took a laxative. By the evening of day 4 on the drug, I had a massive seizure like I haven't had in years! They readjusted the titration rate to 50mg a week instead, until reaching the 300mg prescribed dosage. It kind of helped with the digestive issue. But by week 3 when I upped the dose to 150mg, I could not reach R.E.M. sleep at all. So I stopped at 50mg in the a.m. and p.m. The neuro did not seem to be willing to take me off the drug. Instead, recommended melatonin. I still go to the bathroom more than what is considered normal. As for my mood, even though covid was happening last year, I was a much happier person pre Zonisamide. I see a new neuro soon."

2 / 10

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Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
October 25, 2012

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention "I don't notice any side effects compared to some of the other anti-seizure medicines."

9 / 10

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58 Report

Migra...
August 21, 2016

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention "I have been taking 100 mg of Zonegran daily for about a month, and have noticed a reduction in the amount and severity of my migraines."

8 / 10

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Anonymous
April 12, 2012

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."

8 / 10

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Anonymous
March 19, 2011

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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Anonymous
November 28, 2011

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Migraine Prevention "On 50 mg and have seen a huge improvement in my migraines. Down to 5 per month."

7 / 10

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49 Report

DGIII
Taken for less than 1 month
March 23, 2013

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures "Diagnosed- generalized juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Completely stopped my sons seizures, he is only 14 years old."

10 / 10

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Kay
Taken for 1 to 6 months
July 19, 2018

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures "This drug is great for seizures. I literally don’t have any when taking it. The only side effects I see is fatigue, and serious weight loss. I’m down 20 pounds from this drug."

8 / 10

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21 Report

Romauld
July 7, 2015

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Benign Essential Tremor "Since I've started taking Zonegran I have not had ANY flare ups of tremors in my hands. No bad side effects however, one good one... It has helped me lose weight!"

10 / 10

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Anonymous
July 7, 2010

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!"

9 / 10

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grits...
Taken for 6 months to 1 year
December 29, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "It has stopped my migraines for almost a year. I've lost weight and muscle stone, my appetite has gone."

7 / 10

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24 Report

Lots...
Taken for 10 years or more
August 28, 2018

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures "I've been taking Zonegran for 12 or so years and have had no problems at all-not one seizure for years. I ride Motor cycles fast and not once have I had a problem."

10 / 10

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17 Report

Anonymous
October 24, 2008

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures "I like Zonegran overall, I haven't had a seizure since I started taking it."

7 / 10

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34 Report

C-DUB
March 3, 2009

Zonegran (zonisamide) for Seizures "Loss of appetite but seizure free"

9 / 10

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32 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.