Product Details: Zonegran (Zonisamide)

Brand Name Options - Manufacturer: Eisai

Generic Options

What are Generics? A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, how it is taken, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name and works the same way in the body in the same amount of time.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is the generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (e.g. different shape or color), as trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to invent a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name drug and sell it at substantial discounts.

Description

This medicine is an anticonvulsant used with other medicines to control certain types of seizures.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat and light. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT TAKE 2 doses at once.

Cautions

DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP USING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine or any other sulfonamide medicine (such as Septra DS, Bactrim DS, Gantrisin, glyburide, or probenecid), contact your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. A severe reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain medicine is a sulfonamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. Wear a medical alert tag indicating that you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This medicine may cause decreased sweating. Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather, saunas, or during exercise or other activity since heatstroke may occur. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Caution should be used in children since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially the risk of overheating. FOR WOMEN: Use a reliable form of birth control while taking this medicine. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, confusion, nervousness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, runny nose, diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, dry mouth, or trouble sleeping. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience depression, numbness and tingling of hands or feet, double vision, back and forth eye movements, trouble speaking, difficulty concentrating, agitation or irritability, or mood changes. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience abdominal pain, painful urination, change in amount of urine, fever, decreased sweating, sore throat, easy bruising, or rash. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Active Ingredients

Zonisamide