Can you take Levetiracetam with Zonisade?
1 drug interaction and 28 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:
- levetiracetam
- Zonisade (zonisamide)
Drug interactions
Moderate drug interactions
Moderate:
levETIRAcetam zonisamide
Applies to: levetiracetam and Zonisade (zonisamide)
Using levETIRAcetam together with zonisamide may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
levETIRAcetam Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: levetiracetam
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of levETIRAcetam such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with levETIRAcetam. Do not use more than the recommended dose of levETIRAcetam, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Moderate:
zonisamide Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Zonisade (zonisamide)
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of zonisamide such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with zonisamide. Do not use more than the recommended dose of zonisamide, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Disease interactions
26 potential interactions Applies to: 20 conditions, including Depression, Allergies, Asthma, COPD, and Seizures.
Acidosis
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Acidosis.
Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Allergies
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Allergies.
The use of sulfonamides is associated with large increases in the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other serious dermatologic reactions, although these phenomena are rare as a whole. Hepatitis, pneumonitis, and interstitial nephritis have also occurred in association with sulfonamide hypersensitivity. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with severe allergies, bronchial asthma or AIDS, since these patients may be at increased risk for potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions. Patients should be instructed to promptly report signs and symptoms that may precede the onset of cutaneous manifestations of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, such as high fever, severe headache, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urethritis, and balanitis. Sulfonamide therapy should be stopped at once if a rash develops.
Anemia
Minor:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a minor potential interaction with Anemia.
The use of levetiracetam may be associated with minor decreases in total red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Possibly significant decreases in white blood cell and neutrophil counts may also occur infrequently, although these changes may return to normal despite continued treatment. Therapy with levetiracetam should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to anemia or neutropenia.
Asthma
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Asthma.
The use of sulfonamides is associated with large increases in the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other serious dermatologic reactions, although these phenomena are rare as a whole. Hepatitis, pneumonitis, and interstitial nephritis have also occurred in association with sulfonamide hypersensitivity. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with severe allergies, bronchial asthma or AIDS, since these patients may be at increased risk for potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions. Patients should be instructed to promptly report signs and symptoms that may precede the onset of cutaneous manifestations of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, such as high fever, severe headache, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urethritis, and balanitis. Sulfonamide therapy should be stopped at once if a rash develops.
Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
The use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may rarely cause bone marrow suppression and blood dyscrasias at recommended dosages. Aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenia purpura, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and hemolytic anemia have been reported. Extreme caution should be exercised if carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are administered to patients with these preexisting conditions. A baseline CBC and platelet count is recommended, as well as monitoring at regular intervals during therapy.
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Bone Marrow Depression/Low Blood Counts.
The use of sulfonamides has been associated with hematologic toxicity, including methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, leukopenia, granulocytopenia, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, purpura, clotting disorder, thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and hypoprothrombinemia. Acute dose-related hemolytic anemia may occur during the first week of therapy due to sensitization, while chronic hemolytic anemia may occur with prolonged use. Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency should be observed closely for signs of hemolytic anemia. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting blood dyscrasias or bone marrow suppression. Complete blood counts should be obtained regularly, especially during prolonged therapy (>2 weeks), and patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggestive of blood dyscrasia such as fever, sore throat, local infection, bleeding, pallor, dizziness, or jaundice.
COPD
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with COPD.
Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Dehydration
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.
The use of zonisamide may infrequently be associated with the development of nephrolithiasis. The reported incidence for clinically possible or confirmed kidney stones was 4.0% (40 of 991 patients) during premarketing use, representing a rate of 34 per 1000 patient-years of exposure (40 patients with 1168 years of exposure). Therapy with zonisamide should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during zonisamide therapy.
Depression
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Depression.
Antiepileptic drugs including zonisamide can increase depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors in patients receiving these drugs for any indication. Patients should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts and unusual changes in mood or behavior. Caregivers and family should be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to the healthcare providers.
Moderate:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Diarrhea
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Diarrhea.
Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Fever
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Fever.
Oligohidrosis (decreased sweating) and hyperthermia have been reported in association with the use of some carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants such as topiramate and zonisamide. Most of the reports have been in children. Caution and close monitoring of body temperature is advised when prescribing these drugs, especially in patients with a fever, in hot weather, or if combined with other drugs that predispose to heat related disorders. Zonisamide is not approved for use in pediatric patients in the U.S.
Hemodialysis
Moderate:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a moderate potential interaction with Hemodialysis.
Levetiracetam is removed by hemodialysis. Approximately 50% of the pool of levetiracetam in the body is removed during a standard 4-hour hemodialysis session. The manufacturer recommends a 250 to 500 mg supplemental dose following dialysis.
History, Nephrolithiasis
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with History, Nephrolithiasis.
The use of zonisamide may infrequently be associated with the development of nephrolithiasis. The reported incidence for clinically possible or confirmed kidney stones was 4.0% (40 of 991 patients) during premarketing use, representing a rate of 34 per 1000 patient-years of exposure (40 patients with 1168 years of exposure). Therapy with zonisamide should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during zonisamide therapy.
History of Blood Dyscrasias
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with History of Blood Dyscrasias.
The use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may rarely cause bone marrow suppression and blood dyscrasias at recommended dosages. Aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopenia purpura, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, and hemolytic anemia have been reported. Extreme caution should be exercised if carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are administered to patients with these preexisting conditions. A baseline CBC and platelet count is recommended, as well as monitoring at regular intervals during therapy.
HIV-1 Infection
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with HIV-1 Infection.
The use of sulfonamides is associated with large increases in the risk of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and other serious dermatologic reactions, although these phenomena are rare as a whole. Hepatitis, pneumonitis, and interstitial nephritis have also occurred in association with sulfonamide hypersensitivity. Therapy with sulfonamides should be administered cautiously in patients with severe allergies, bronchial asthma or AIDS, since these patients may be at increased risk for potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions. Patients should be instructed to promptly report signs and symptoms that may precede the onset of cutaneous manifestations of the Stevens-Johnson syndrome, such as high fever, severe headache, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urethritis, and balanitis. Sulfonamide therapy should be stopped at once if a rash develops.
Liver Disease
Major:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.
The use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is contraindicated in patients with marked liver disease or cirrhosis. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors increase the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy in these patients. Extreme caution should be exercised if carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are administered in patients with mild to moderate liver disease as the clearance of the drug can be decreased. A dose reduction might be needed and monitoring of the liver function is recommended.
Nephrolithiasis
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Nephrolithiasis.
The use of zonisamide may infrequently be associated with the development of nephrolithiasis. The reported incidence for clinically possible or confirmed kidney stones was 4.0% (40 of 991 patients) during premarketing use, representing a rate of 34 per 1000 patient-years of exposure (40 patients with 1168 years of exposure). Therapy with zonisamide should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients with a history of nephrolithiasis. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during zonisamide therapy.
Neutropenia
Minor:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a minor potential interaction with Neutropenia.
The use of levetiracetam may be associated with minor decreases in total red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Possibly significant decreases in white blood cell and neutrophil counts may also occur infrequently, although these changes may return to normal despite continued treatment. Therapy with levetiracetam should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to anemia or neutropenia.
Psychosis
Moderate:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
levetiracetam
levETIRAcetam has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Levetiracetam is primarily eliminated unchanged by the kidney. The clearance of levetiracetam is decreased in patients with renal impairment and is correlated with creatinine clearance. In study subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment, total body clearance of levetiracetam was reduced by 40% in the mild group (CrCl = 50 to 80 mL/min), 50% in the moderate group (CrCl = 30 to 50 mL/min), 60% in the severe group (CrCl < 30 mL/min), and 70% in anuric patients (end-stage renal disease) compared to patients with normal renal function (CrCl > 80 mL/min). Therapy with levetiracetam should be administered cautiously at reduced dosages in patients with impaired renal function. Dosage adjustments should be based on the degree of renal impairment (i.e. estimated creatinine clearance) in accordance with the product package labeling.
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
The major route of elimination of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is through the kidney. These drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with reduced renal function and a dose adjustment might be required depending on the level of impairment.
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.
Seizures
Moderate:
Zonisade
The zonisamide in Zonisade has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
The abrupt withdrawal of zonisamide capsules in patients with epilepsy may precipitate the increase of seizure frequency or status epilepticus. Caution is advised when using this drug in patients with seizures. Dose reduction or discontinuation should be done gradually.
More resources
levetiracetam
A total of 243 drugs are known to interact with levetiracetam.
- Levetiracetam is in the drug class pyrrolidine anticonvulsants.
-
Levetiracetam is used to treat the following conditions:
- Bipolar Disorder (off-label)
- Epilepsy
- Hyperekplexia (off-label)
- Neuralgia (off-label)
- New Daily Persistent Headache (off-label)
- Seizures
Zonisade
A total of 426 drugs are known to interact with Zonisade.
- Zonisade is in the drug class carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants.
- Zonisade is used to treat Seizures.
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.