Zonegran Side Effects
Generic Name: zonisamide
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 16, 2020.
Note: This document contains side effect information about zonisamide. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Zonegran.
For the Consumer
Applies to zonisamide: oral capsule
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention
Along with its needed effects, zonisamide (the active ingredient contained in Zonegran) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zonisamide:
More common
- Discouragement
- double vision
- feeling sad or empty
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- mood or mental changes
- shakiness or unsteady walking
- tiredness
- trouble with concentrating
- trouble with sleeping
Less common
- Agitation
- bruising
- delusions
- hallucinations
- large, flat blue or purplish patches on the skin
- rash
Incidence not known
- Blurred vision
- change in near or distance vision
- difficulty in focusing eyes
- eye pain
- increase in frequency of seizures
- swelling of the face
- yellow eyes or skin
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention
Some side effects of zonisamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- anxiety
- diarrhea
- difficulty with memory
- dizziness
- double vision
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- restlessness
- sleepiness
- unusual drowsiness
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Aching muscles or joints
- acid or sour stomach
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- belching
- change in taste
- chills
- constipation
- difficulty with speaking
- difficulty with thinking
- dry mouth
- fever
- general ill feeling
- headache
- heartburn
- indigestion
- mental slowness
- nervousness
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- tingling, burning, or prickly feelings on the skin
- uncontrolled, back and forth, or rolling eye movements
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to zonisamide: oral capsule
General
The most common adverse reactions to this drug are somnolence, dizziness, and anorexia.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation, dry mouth[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (17%), dizziness (13%), headache (10%), ataxia
Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, fatigue, tiredness, bradyphrenia, tremor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsion
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Coma, grand mal seizure, myasthenic syndrome, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, status epilepticus
Postmarketing reports: Restless legs syndrome[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Speech abnormalities, difficulties in verbal expression, taste perversion[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Agitation, irritability, confusional state, depression
Common (1% to 10%): Difficulty concentrating, difficulty with memory, mental slowing, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, affect lability, psychotic disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anger, aggression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hallucination, amnesia, mania[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Nystagmus, diplopia[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, anhidrosis, erythema multiforme, pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia
Common (1% to 10%): Weight loss
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Metabolic acidosis
Postmarketing reports: Elevated creatine phosphokinase[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, leukocytosis, leucopenia, lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pneumonia[Ref]
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection
Postmarketing reports: Acute pancreatitis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Drug induced hypersensitivity syndrome[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Influenza syndrome[Ref]
Renal
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal tubular acidosis
Frequency not reported: Nephrolithiasis, hydronephrosis, renal failure, urine abnormality[Ref]
References
1. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia "APPGuide online. Australian prescription products guide online. Available from: URL: http://www.appco.com.au/appguide/default.asp." ([2006]):
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
3. "Product Information. Zonegran (zonisamide)" Elan Pharmaceuticals, S. San Francisco, CA.
More about Zonegran (zonisamide)
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- Drug class: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants
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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.