Zonisamide is used for:

Treating certain types of seizures (partial seizures) in
patients with epilepsy. It is used along with other medicines. It may also be
used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Zonisamide is an anticonvulsant. Exactly how Zonisamide works
is not known.

Do NOT use Zonisamide if:

• you are allergic
  to any ingredient in Zonisamide or to a sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole)

• you have kidney failure

Before using Zonisamide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Zonisamide . Tell
your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any
of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to
  become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

• if you are taking any
  prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary
  supplement

• if you have
  allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (including
  tartrazine)

• if you are allergic to aspirin
• if you have a history of status
  epilepticus (eg, long periods of continuous seizure activity or a series of
  seizures without a full return to consciousness)

• if you have a history of liver or
  kidney problems, kidney stones, lung or breathing problems, mental or mood
  problems, or suicidal thoughts or actions

• if you have a skin
  rash

• if you have diarrhea, will be
  having surgery, or are on a ketogenic diet

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zonisamide . Tell your
health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of
the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg,
  benztropine) or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide) because
  the risk of heatstroke or high blood acid levels may be increased

How to use Zonisamide :

Use Zonisamide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on
the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet may be
  available with Zonisamide . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions
  about this information.

• Take Zonisamide by mouth with or
  without food.

• Swallow Zonisamide whole. Do not
  break, crush, or chew before swallowing.

• Drink plenty of liquids (6 to 8
  glasses of water a day) while taking Zonisamide to help prevent kidney
  stones.

• Do not suddenly stop taking
  Zonisamide . Suddenly stopping Zonisamide may cause seizures to occur more
  often. If you need to stop Zonisamide , follow your doctor’s instructions
  for slowly lowering your dose.

• If you miss a dose of Zonisamide
  , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip
  the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2
  doses at once.

Important safety information:

• Zonisamide may cause dizziness,
  drowsiness, or vision changes. These effects may be worse if you take it
  with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zonisamide with caution. Do not drive
  or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

• Zonisamide may reduce sweating,
  which could increase the risk of heat stroke, especially in children.
  The risk is greater in hot weather and/or during vigorous exercise. Drink
  plenty of fluids. Dress lightly while in hot climates or when exercising.
  Check carefully for signs of decreased sweating. If this occurs, promptly
  seek cooler or air-conditioned shelter and/or stop exercising. Seek medical
  attention right away if you have an unexplained fever, or if you have mental
  or mood changes, headache, or dizziness.

• Zonisamide may cause high blood
  acid levels (metabolic acidosis). The risk may be greater in children and in
  patients with kidney problems, severe breathing problems, or diarrhea. It
  may also be greater in patients who are taking certain other medicines (eg,
  acetazolamide), will be having surgery, or are on a ketogenic diet. Over a
  period of time, metabolic acidosis may cause kidney problems, bone problems,
  or decreased growth in children. Contact your doctor immediately if you
  experience fast breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue, sluggishness,
  fainting, persistent loss of appetite, or irregular heartbeat.

• Contact your doctor at once if
  your seizures worsen or if you develop a skin rash.

• Tell your doctor or dentist that
  you take Zonisamide before you receive any medical or dental
  care, emergency care, or surgery.

• Carry an ID card at all times
  that says you take Zonisamide .

• This product may contain
  tartrazine dye (FD&C Yellow No. 5). This may cause an
  allergic reaction in some patients. If you have ever had an
  allergic reaction to tartrazine, ask your pharmacist if your product has
  tartrazine in it.

• Women who take Zonisamide should
  use effective birth
  control while using Zonisamide .

• Lab tests, including kidney
  function tests or blood bicarbonate levels, may be performed while you use
  Zonisamide . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for
  side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

• Zonisamide should be used with
  extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and
  effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. CHILDREN may be at
  a higher risk of heatstroke and metabolic acidosis.

• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING:
  Zonisamide may cause harm to the fetus. Do not become pregnant while you are
  using it. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to
  discuss the benefits and risks of using Zonisamide while you are pregnant.
  It is not known if Zonisamide is found in breast milk. If you are or will be
  breast-feeding while you use Zonisamide , check with your doctor. Discuss
  any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zonisamide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have
no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any
of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal skin sensations; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness;
flu-like symptoms; headache; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach
upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE
side effects occur:

Severe allergic
reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in
the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bone pain; changes
in the amount of urine produced; confusion; dark or bloody urine; decreased
sweating; double vision or other vision problems; fainting; fast breathing;
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; loss of
coordination; memory problems; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation,
depression); mouth sores; painful urination; persistent loss of appetite; red,
swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe muscle pain or weakness; severe or
persistent drowsiness; sluggishness; sudden stomach or back pain; suicidal
thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; tremor; trouble
speaking or other speech problems; trouble thinking or concentrating; unusual
bruising or bleeding; unusual eye movements; unusual or disturbing thoughts;
unusual tiredness or weakness.