Zonegran Side Effects

Generic Name: zonisamide

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, oral tablet

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:

• Discouragement
• 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

• Agitation
• bruising
• delusions
• hallucinations
• large, flat blue or purplish patches on the skin
• rash

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:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• anxiety
• difficulty with memory
• dizziness
• double vision
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• restlessness
• sleepiness
• unusual drowsiness
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• Aching muscles or joints
• acid or sour stomach
• bad, unusual, or unpleasant taste in the mouth
• belching
• change in taste
• chills
• constipation
• diarrhea
• 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 liability, 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]

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.

Medical Disclaimer