Zonisamide and Nausea: What Users Say

• TBr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I took this medication after numerous failed attempts to control my chronic daily migraines with other medications. I started at 25 mg and was eventually supposed to be on 200 mg. I never went beyond 100 mg. By week three (at 75 mg), I was so nauseous that I could rarely eat more than a bite of food. I was also an emotional wreck. I would go from being irritable to crying uncontrollably in minutes. The night I took the first 100 mg dose, I began vomiting within 30 mins. After an hour of constant vomiting, I fell asleep for 12 hours. It took days to feel better - exhausted, nauseous, depressed. My family called it “the medicine that makes you sick.” This is NOT the medication for me."

• 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!"

• Sei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2021

For Seizures "Zonisamide has essentially ruined my life since being put on it. It caused one seizure because the memory issues caused by the drug led me to forget to take my seizure meds and seize, but aside from that, I’m just anxious, nauseous, and exhausted 24/7! In my house, it is known as Zombisamide. I opted to titrate onto Lamictal as soon as humanly possible."

• Jam...
• January 19, 2017

For Seizures "I'm currently on zonisamide (Zonegran). I've been on it for years now to the point that it's doing nothing for my seizures and everything for my weight and mood that I don't want it to. I now suffer from not getting an appetite at all. My migraines are ridiculously painful to the point it sometimes makes me nauseous or even vomit. I wish there's something someone could do to help!!!"

• Mwa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 27, 2017

For Benign Essential Tremor "My shaking is well controlled, but I don't like the side effects I have. I am positive the problems are drug related. I have facial pain, like a sinus pain, nasal burning, occasional headaches, lips, and mouth tingle. I no longer have orgasms. I have low blood pressure, so I couldn't take certain other medications. A couple others make me very nauseous. I decided to live with the side effects of zonisamide for now."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2016

Zonisamide for Benign Essential Tremor "No help! My hand and head still shake. I have a headache, nausea, and vomiting I never had. My face is red. I have no energy and have to push myself to do things. This is not me!"

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I feel ill on this drug. Headache, muscle aches, nausea, constipation, gait problems."