Zonegran (ZAHN-uh-gran) is the brand name used in the United States for the seizure medicine zonisamide (zoh-NIH-sah-mide). In 2003, Zonegran was not available in Canada, the UK, or Australia.

Zonisamide was first used in Japan in 1972 to treat psychiatric diseases, and it has been widely used to treat epilepsy in Japan and Korea since at least 1990. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for use in the United States in March 2000, suggesting that it be used along with other seizure medicines (as adjunctive or add-on therapy) in the treatment of partial seizures in adults.

Forms
Zonegran is marketed in the United States by Eisai, Inc. The name or appearance may differ in other places. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") will usually be the same. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Capsules

100-mg White capsule with red cap, printed with company logo and "ZONEGRAN 100"

50-mg
White capsule with gray cap, printed with company logo and "ZONEGRAN 50"

25-mg
White capsule with white cap, printed with company logo and "ZONEGRAN 25"

How to take and store Zonegran
Follow your doctor's directions. Call if you have any questions. Normally, your doctor will tell you to start by taking not more than 100 mg each day. After a while the doctor may tell you to take more capsules to get better control of your seizures. Usually the doctor will tell you to take all the capsules at one time, or perhaps to take some twice a day.

Swallow each capsule whole. Don't bite it or break it open. It's OK to take Zonegran either with food or without food, but it's important to be consistent day after day.

Drink plenty of liquids every day. Doing this may help to prevent kidney stones, a serious problem that affects a small number of people who take Zonegran.

Be sure to take only the number of capsules that your doctor tells you to take. Be especially careful if you get a new prescription for a different size of capsule. Don't just continue to take the same number of pills as before.

If you think you've taken one or two extra capsules, call your doctor for advice. For a larger overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency room right away.

Don't stop taking Zonegran or change the number of capsules you take without talking to your doctor first. Stopping any seizure medicine all at once can cause a serious problem called status epilepticus.

Store Zonegran capsules at room temperature, protected from dampness and light. Keep them where children can't get them.

What if I forget?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, delay that dose for a few hours instead of taking two doses very close together. If you take Zonegran only once a day, allow an interval of about 12 hours before taking the second dose, and then resume a 24-hour schedule the next day. If you're not sure about what to do, call the doctor's office for advice.

Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.

Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!