Zonisamide User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• sis...
• February 17, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I started having daily migraines in September 2014. Topiramate (can't spell anymore) from primary MD. No improvement. Saw neurologist in December 2014. Started on zonisamide, 50 mg. Built up to 150 mg. I was having about 28 migraines pre-meds. Decreased to about 22 for a few months. Then decreased to 14-18 per month in the summer of 2015. Took PT at the end of summer, and headaches increased to upper 20s again. MRI done in summer showed spinal stenosis but not severe enough to warrant surgery. Dosage of zonisamide increased to 250 mg, did not help, so neuro decreased it back to 150 mg. Pain became more severe and every day. At present, I am on 200 mg and to go up to 250 mg next week. Still with migraines every day. Getting the second set of spinal injections with steroids tomorrow."

• Wim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I had been taking Topamax, and it worked preventing my migraines without bad side effects (just weight/hair loss, which were both appreciated). However, after starting hormonal birth control, I wanted to stop it to eliminate the possibility of it decreasing the effectiveness of the BC. My neurologist recommended Zonegran since it's a similar anticonvulsant, and he's had patients successful with it. Ten days after building up to my full dose (100 mg nightly), I began feeling nauseous. I was lightheaded, out of breath, and had to lay down. For the following week, I was nauseous and sometimes lightheaded, and missed two days of work. After realizing Zonegran was the only change, I began to wean off of it. The nausea was better as my dose decreased and gone after stopping. Unfortunately, I can't take triptans due to the birth control since I get migraines with aura, and my neurologist won't prescribe antidepressants to people already on one. So beta blockers are my next try, regrettably."

• Lis...
• 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 doctor 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 aged, 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 in February of 2022. Been fighting them for 5 years. I don't drive anymore and already. Wish me luck."

• Hea...
• 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, I consistently started having some neuropathy in my feet, but bumped back down to 200 mg and have had no issues. This medicine gave me my life back. Went from having daily debilitating migraines to being able to function again. Have never been able to wean off. Thankful for it!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

Zonisamide for Migraine Prevention "I started using Topamax and had a full-body reaction, so my neurologist switched to Zonegran. I have been taking 300 mg for a while, 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."

• Jef...
• April 16, 2018

For Seizures "My second neurologist prescribed me 100 mg caps, one at night for a week, then increase to 2 caps for a week, then 3 caps at night for a week. The first week, it made me so sick, horribly dizzy, like a bad flu feeling in the morning. Called her, told her about the horrible side effects, she wanted me to give it one more week on just 100 mg to try and get used to it. No good, second week I was just as sick. I'm disabled, deaf, had major cervical surgery in March of 2017. Next May, I was hit with seizures, in ICU for 5 days, 20 seizures the first day and night. My first worthless neurologist put me on Depakote. It stopped the seizures at least, but made me so sick I insisted he get me off the poison. The cause of seizures is unknown. Endless tests, EEG showed perfect along with the MRI of my brain. I plan on joining Mensa after a cochlear implant there in the next few months. The last seizure I had was April 5th, 2017, over a year ago."

• mik...
• 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."

• Ros...
• 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 a 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 because they are starting to come back as the medicine is clearing out of my system. (Tried Topiramate 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."

• Anonymous
• June 9, 2018

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?"

• Lgl...
• February 7, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I will be starting zonisamide today. I've had migraines for over 30 years and tried every drug out there. Was on Topamax for many years, but the side effects were terrible. I'm a little nervous to start this drug because it's in the same class of meds, but I'll give it a try! My neurologist also wants me to add in nortriptyline in a month. Has anyone taken this combo?"

• Joh...
• June 22, 2015

For Seizures "Had a brain tumor removed in 1988 and was on Dilantin and phenobarbital for over 20 years. Got rushed to the hospital for what was thought to be a stroke and ended up being a seizure. My new neuro doctor put me on Keppra with phenobarbital, this worked great for about 5 years. Just got out of the hospital again because of a seizure and am now on 3,000 mg of Keppra and 400 mg of zonisamide daily. At first, I had a hard time sleeping, only about an hour a day, my fault, as I read the prescription bottle wrong. I was supposed to take the zonisamide once in the morning, and here I was taking 200 mg in the morning and 200 mg at night. So far, everything is fine as I am only on week 1 of my new dosage. My doctor also wants me to lose weight, so this is it."

• Fev...
• 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 the neuro prescribed amitriptyline 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 because 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."

• Agg...
• 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 300 mg a day, starting with 100 mg 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 50 mg a week instead, until reaching the 300 mg prescribed dosage. It kind of helped with the digestive issue. But by week 3, when I upped the dose to 150 mg, I could not reach R.E.M. sleep at all. So I stopped at 50 mg 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."

• jff...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2025

For Seizures "The doctor said no alcohol or I might get a psychotic episode. I didn't drink alcohol and had psychotic episodes. I told the doctor I wanted to go back on Dilantin, she said 'no'. Dilantin is the only med that worked well. Everybody is different."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 25, 2012

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

• Mig...
• August 21, 2016

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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 28, 2011

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

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2011

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."

• DGI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2013

Zonisamide for Seizures "Diagnosed - generalized juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Completely stopped my son's seizures, he is only 14 years old."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2018

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

• Sul...
• July 26, 2011

Zonisamide for Seizures "On maximum dose with Keppra, and still having some breakthrough seizures. Still less than I was having before. No side effects. Had a full-term pregnancy while on medication. Baby is very healthy."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2010

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!"

• Lot...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 28, 2018

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 motorcycles fast and not once have I had a problem."

• gri...
• 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."