Zonisamide and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say

• bet...
• June 18, 2020

Zonisamide for Seizures "I have been on 100mg daily of Zonegran for 1 week. Today I will be upping my dose to 200mg daily. Next week I will be upping it to 300mg daily and maxing out there for about a month to see how my body fully reacts to the 300mg daily. Zonegran, so far, is the first medication to help with the seizures. It definitely has lessened the length of my seizures, and how often. The side effects aren’t even close to how bad side effects have been on any other anti-seizure meds. I am definitely very drowsy, a little more irritable, moving slower, and feeling foggy. Have way less of an appetite and not eating early as much. I am having some headaches. Aside from that, I’m happy with this medicine so far. Finding the right medicine can be so frustrating and makes you feel so alone sometimes. Hoping this comment can help others as well! Xo"

• Chi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 16, 2014

Zonisamide for Seizures "Been on this medicine for a long time. 10 years. It decreased my seizures a lot and my headaches. Also decreased my appetite and I've lost weight, which I have no problem with. Out of all seizure medicines I've been on, I highly suggest this one!"

• dwe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2017

Zonisamide for Seizures "I took Zonegran (zonisamide) for approximately 4 weeks. That should tell you something. I knew by the third week that something was wrong with me. This drug ruined my thinking process. I got 'brain fog,' was unable to concentrate or focus on anything more than 2-3 minutes. I could not remember 50% or more of anything I read or was told. It made me depressed and discouraged, and I completely lost interest in nearly everything. It began to affect me emotionally, and I became extremely irritable at times. It also made me very sleepy and reduced my appetite tremendously. *Worst of all, it did not stop my seizures. Zonegran must be one of, if not the worst anti-seizure medications I've taken in my life. I don't recommend it."

• ste...
• July 4, 2011

Zonisamide for Seizures "I have recently been on Topamax and Keppra, both maxed out. My headaches were worse and my seizures were still happening. My doctor finally switched me to Zonegran 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!"

• msq...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I am up to 200 mg a day. The only problems I have are some loss of appetite, which I definitely don't mind. And I get a little upset tummy every now and then. All in all, I feel fine, my memory is fine, and I'm just glad I can live a normal life pain-free! My last migraine was during my dosage increase at 175 mg. Hopefully, it's smooth sailing from here."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2009

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 (Topamax, Trileptal, Depakote, and Phenobarbital). Best of all, it's only once a day!"

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I did experience some appetite loss at first, which was OK because I wanted to lose about 5 pounds-but I started gaining weight, my face was puffy, while eating very little and no decrease in exercise. The worst, however, was the onset of depression and feelings 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 the beginning but my body adjusted), but I also lost word facility. Not a good trade-off, so I had to go off Topamax. Help!"

• Alo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Have suffered with headache/migraines for 22 years and have tried many meds. Tried Topamax a couple of different times and finally had to get off it for some of the side effects, and it really kind of stopped working for me. On a dose of 200 mg of zonisamide and seems to have decreased the frequency and the severity of my migraines. Have noticed a bit of a loss of appetite at this current dose and thirsty and dry mouth. All in all, happy so far with my current situation."

• Let...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

Zonisamide for Seizures "This week I've started on 50 mg Zonegran at night, and over the next few weeks, I will be increasing to 200 mg daily. This is the 9th AED I have tried for my complex partial epilepsy. I am taking this in conjunction with 400 mg Tegretol daily and 10-30 mg Frisium daily. I experience auras daily and have seizures approximately once a week. Since starting this drug, I have not experienced any auras or seizures, however, it is too early to know if it is actually working. The side effects so far have been rather uncomfortable. This includes headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and feeling more tired/foggy than usual. Hoping the side effects will lessen over the next few weeks!"

• liv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 18, 2015

For Seizures "Have been seizure-free for over 10 years now. Ever since my doc put me on Zonegran. BUT there was a short time I was having bad migraines, so he put me on Topamax (evil drug), it caused me to have short-term memory loss to the point that I was forgetting I was forgetting. Changed doctors and back on Zonisamide, and all is good. As for side effects, I have daily fatigue and less of an appetite, but who cares compared to one or more seizures daily."

• She...
• 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 Zonisamide) 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 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 by this medication. He has also experienced lightheadedness and short-term memory loss."

• Tam...
• 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!"

• 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."

• C-D...
• March 3, 2009

Zonisamide for Seizures "Loss of appetite, but seizure-free."