Place Your Advertisement Here
All ad revenues support the mission of the Epilepsy Therapy Project
 
UPDATED: Sun, 10/21/2007 - 9:47pm

  • Epilepsy First Aid
  • Seizure Medication
  • Videos
  • Seizure Diary
  • Find a Doctor
  • Epilepsy Centers
  • Clinical Trials
  • Event Calendar

Place Your Advertisement Here
All ad revenues support the mission
of the Epilepsy Therapy Project

What are the most common side effects of Zonegran?: Intermediate

Topics List
New comprehensive downloadable medication sheet
  • Additional information on this drug and how to use it.
  • A starting point for discussion with your doctor.
  • Answers to frequently asked questions.

Most people who take Zonegran don't report any side effects. The others most often complain of:

  • sleepiness or fatigue
  • dizziness
  • loss of appetite (it's not unusual to lose several pounds)
  • upset stomach
  • headache
  • agitation or irritability

Most of these problems are mild to moderate.

During scientific studies in which some people took Zonegran in addition to their regular seizure medicine, and some people took an inactive substitute (a placebo) instead of Zonegran, only 17% of the patients taking Zonegran reported a problem with sleepiness (as did 7% of those taking the placebo). The other side effects were even less common. So you can see that side effects are not a problem for most people. You should be careful when you first start taking Zonegran, though, and make sure you don't have a problem with sleepiness when driving or doing anything else that might be dangerous.

Some other side effects mentioned even less often were:

  • poor coordination or tremor
  • speech problems
  • poor concentration
  • itching
  • vision problems

If you notice problems like any of these while you are taking Zonegran, it's probably a good idea to discuss them with your doctor or nurse. Sometimes the doctor can help with these side effects by changing the prescription:

  • reducing the overall dose
  • changing the amount taken at certain times, such as taking a greater proportion at bedtime to reduce daytime sleepiness
  • prescribing smaller doses, to be taken more often You shouldn't stop taking Zonegran or any other seizure medication without your doctor's advice.

Be sure to read about the serious side effects so you will be aware of symptoms that might indicate the beginning of a dangerous reaction to Zonegran. These serious problems are very rare but everyone who takes this medicine should at least be aware of them.

People who have just started taking Zonegran (or who have just started taking a larger amount) should be careful during activities that might be dangerous, until they know whether they are having any side effects.

Allergic reactions
Approximately 1 in 20 people who take Zonegran have a red rash within the first few weeks of taking it. If this happens, tell the doctor or nurse right away, to be sure that it's not the beginning of a serious problem. It's rare for the rash to be serious, but don't ignore it. It's often necessary to switch to a different seizure medicine.


Welcome to the Wiki. This space is created for epilepsy.com members to share their own experiences and expertise to help refine and expand the discussion around important topics.

No members have yet contributed to this topic. If you are not yet an epilepsy.com member, register today to get started on this Wiki topic and the many other advantages of being a member. If you are a member and wish to be the first to edit this Wiki topic, please make sure to login, then click on the orange "Start Wiki" button at the top of this page. Or, learn more about Wikis.


Related Content

View all Forums
 
amyoon
amyoon
Anybody know about zonegran?
Created by amyoonat8/23/08 - 1:13 pm|9 Comments
Posted To:
amyoon
amyoon
Anybody know about zonegran?
Created by amyoonat8/23/08 - 1:12 pm|10 Comments
Posted To:
henry199
henry199
Lamictal and mood changes???
Created by henry199at7/20/08 - 12:20 pm|15 Comments
Posted To:
aschroll
aschroll
Zonisamide - switching from generic to Zonegran
Created by aschrollat6/26/08 - 11:18 am|2 Comments
Posted To:
Peaches78
Peaches78
starting zonegran
Created by Peaches78at5/22/08 - 7:33 pm|11 Comments
Posted To:
rudhek
rudhek
New - tegretol side effects - coloured urine?
Created by rudhekat11/12/09 - 7:24 am
Posted To:
jubatum
jubatum
New - may dswitch from dilantin to topamax, anyone had good results??
Created by jubatumat11/1/09 - 2:34 pm
Posted To:
kaitly...
kaitly...
New - Starting medication again... Spikes in the optic lobe?!
Created by kaitly...at11/1/09 - 1:41 pm
Posted To:
Jenlsb
Jenlsb
New - Memory Loss/Side Effects - Lamictal vs. Topomax
Created by Jenlsbat10/30/09 - 5:17 pm|4 Comments
Posted To:
egp
egp
New - Keppra-- Weight Gain?
Created by egpat10/26/09 - 12:24 pm
Posted To:
alldente
alldente
New - Two new seizures both while driving
Created by alldenteat10/21/09 - 4:31 pm|7 Comments
Posted To:
ohbrustin
ohbrustin
Does this happen to anyone else?
Created by ohbrustinat10/10/09 - 5:44 pm|2 Comments
Posted To:
wjane
wjane
New - Nanny with epilepsy
Created by wjaneat9/11/09 - 8:48 pm|6 Comments
Posted To:
MegM
MegM
New - Fear of Depakote
Created by MegMat9/11/09 - 8:06 pm|6 Comments
Posted To:
suebee27
suebee27
Hair Loss and AEDs!
Created by suebee27at9/11/09 - 8:28 am|6 Comments
Posted To:
blsutton
blsutton
Lamotrigine and Swollen Lymph nodes
Created by blsuttonat9/6/09 - 6:22 pm
Posted To:
dazed_...
dazed_...
am i seizin' for a reason? =\
Created by dazed_...at9/5/09 - 8:45 pm|1 Comment
Posted To:
kelsie...
kelsie...
Deciding between 3 medications
Created by kelsie...at9/2/09 - 8:31 pm|5 Comments
Posted To:
emmale...
emmale...
New - getting the right meds
Created by emmale...at8/30/09 - 11:27 am|4 Comments
Posted To:
zepled
zepled
Keppra side effects
Created by zepledat8/22/09 - 4:18 pm|10 Comments
Posted To:
dgreenlee
dgreenlee
Vimpat dizziness
Created by dgreenleeat8/20/09 - 10:10 pm|2 Comments
Posted To:
inuse
inuse
Am I crazy?
Created by inuseat8/2/09 - 6:03 pm|1 Comment
Posted To:
tonialpha
tonialpha
Breathing in a Paper Bag to Stop your Medication Numbness?
Created by tonialphaat8/2/09 - 2:46 pm
Posted To:
tiff_25
tiff_25
Changing Medication
Created by tiff_25at8/1/09 - 8:58 pm|1 Comment
Posted To:
sassylcf
sassylcf
Boyfriend has seizures with memory loss
Created by sassylcfat7/28/09 - 11:29 pm|2 Comments
Posted To: