Zonisamide is used to treat seizures in adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes recurring seizures. These seizures occur when the brain sends out the wrong signals to the body, which can lead to unusual sensations, emotions, and behaviors, as well as violent muscle spasms and a loss of consciousness.

Although there is no cure for epilepsy, medications such as Zonisamide can help control seizures in most adults.

While adverse reactions to zonisamide are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Changes in taste
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Heartburn
• Irritability
• Double vision
• Difficulty with short-term memory
• Uncontrollable eye movements
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Difficulty concentrating

More serious side effects of Zonisamide should be reported to your doctor immediately. Serious side effects include:

• Difficulty thinking
• Seizures that are worse or last longer than before starting Zonisamide
• Blistering or peeling skin
• Skin rash
• Back pain that wasn’t happening before starting Zonisamide
• Stomach pain
• Pain when urinating
• Bloody and/or dark urine
• Loss of consciousness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fast, shallow breathing
• Mouth sores
• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Trouble speaking or thinking clearly
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, chills, cough, etc.)
• Extreme weakness in the body
• New and severe muscle pain
• Extreme loss of appetite

Some of these side effects may be indicative of metabolic acidosis, a serious condition when left untreated, which you are more likely to develop when taking Zonisamide. It’s important to contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the serious side effects listed here.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For more information on adverse reactions you may experience while taking zonisamide, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.

The typical starting dose of Zonisamide is 100 mg per day. Your doctor might increase your dosage gradually, no more often than once every two weeks.

Zonisamide may be prescribed to children in a smaller starting dose based on the child’s weight.

Zonisamide is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not zonisamide is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.