Zonisamide-to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy.

Zonisamide is the generic form of the brand-name drug Zonegran, used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy.

Zonisamide-to treat certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy.

Zonisamide; Zonegran; Exceglan; Excegram

Zonegran, Zonicare, Zonimid, Zonisep, Zonit, Zopicon

1, 2-benzoxazol-3-ylmethanesulfonamide

Zonisamide is an antiseizure drug chemically classified as a sulfonamide and unrelated to other antiseizure agents. The drug blocks sodium and calcium channels, which leads to the suppression of neuronal hypersynchronization (i.e. convulsions). Sonisamide has also been found to potentiate dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission but does not appear to potentiate syanptic activity by GABA (gamma amino butyric acid).

50 mg/day in divided doses as PO increase up to 100 mg after 1 week.

Anticonvulsant

Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, blood dyscrasias. Abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhoea, nausea, headache, dizziness, ataxia, nystagmus, paraesthesia, confusion, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, mental slowing, speech abnormalities, difficulty in verbal expression, agitation and/or irritability, depression, insomnia, schizophrenic behaviour, somnolence, fatigue, ecchymosis, weight loss, rash, diplopia, decreased sweating, renal stones, pancreatitis, rhabdomyolysis.

• Small decrease in zonisamide levels with phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine.
• Increased zonisamide levels with lamotrigine.
• Zonisamide has variable effects on carbamazepine levels. 

Known hypersensitivity to sulfonamide. Lactation.

Store below 30°C.

Molecular weight

212.226

Molecular formula

C8H8N2O3S

CAS number

68291-97-4

Precautions

• Pregnancy.
• Renal or hepatic impairment.
• Child.
• Patient at risk of nephrolithiasis; ensure adequate hydration to prevent renal stones.Withdraw gradually and reduce dosage slowly.
• Avoid driving and operating machinery.
• Monitor serum creatine phosphokinase and aldolase levels if patient develops severe muscle pain or weakness; withdraw if levels are raised.
• Consider drug withdrawl in patients with severe weight loss. Monitor renal function periodically.