Do you or someone you know have epilepsy? Or has your doctor prescribed a medication to control some kind of overactivity in the nervous system? At such a time, you may have heard about this medicine called `(Zonisamide). This medicine actually calms down the nerves in our nervous system that are firing unnecessarily and rapidly. Today, we will talk about these `(Zonisamide)` capsules in a little more detail, just like talking to a friend, in simple, understandable Sinhala.
What should I tell my doctor before starting this medication (Zonisamide)?
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor should definitely be aware of some of your health conditions. Because, you need to be very careful when using this medicine with some conditions. If you have any of the things below, please tell your doctor about it, okay?
- If you have a pre-existing kidney problem (Kidney disease).
- If you have any liver disease.
- If tests have found that your blood bicarbonate levels are low.
- If you have any lung disease.
- If you have suicidal thoughts, whether due to depression or other reasons, or if you have planned to commit suicide, or have attempted to do so in the past.
- If you have had an allergic reaction to this medicine (Zonisamide), to sulfa drugs, to any other medicine, to food, to artificial dyes , or to preservatives.
- If you are currently pregnant , or are hoping to become pregnant soon .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
Only if you tell the doctor these things without hiding them will he be able to treat you in a way that is right for you and safe.
How should I use Zonisamide capsules?
This medicine is to be taken by mouth, with a glass of water. You should take it exactly as directed by your doctor on the prescription label, at the exact time and in the exact amount . Do not break, crush, or chew these capsules. Swallow the capsules whole.
You can take this with or without food. However, if you have an upset stomach, it is best to take the medicine with some food. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right time, how many times a day, and how much. Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.
When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special instruction leaflet ``(MedGuide)`` with every prescription and every time you get a refill. Always read it carefully. It contains a lot of important information for you.
Talk to your healthcare team about giving this medicine to young children. Although this medicine can be given to children as young as 16 years old in some special cases, there are precautions and concerns that need to be taken.
What happens if I take too much of this medicine?
If you think you have taken more of this medicine than you think, or if a child has taken it by mistake, call the National Poisons Information Centre (0112686143) immediately , or go to the emergency room of your nearest hospital. Do not delay, it is very important.
Remember this too: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. For your condition, for your body. So never share it with others, even if they have the same problem as you.
What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, within a few hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose or extra dose to make up for a forgotten dose. Doing so increases the risk of side effects.
What other medications may interact with Zonisamide?
This medicine called `(Zonisamide)` can interact with some other medicines you are taking. Simply put, when taken with other medicines, `(Zonisamide)` may change the way it works, increase the side effects, or change the way the other medicine works. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking – whether they are prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, herbal medicines, vitamins, or dietary supplements. Also, be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
Be especially careful with Zonisamide as it may interact with the following medications:
- Acetazolamide
- Alcohol - This is something that should definitely be stopped.
- Types of antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds
- Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
- Some medications for depression, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and sertraline
- Some other medications used to treat seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, and topiramate
- Dichlorphenamide `(Dichlorphenamide)`
- General anesthetics, such as halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, and propofol
- Medications that relax muscles for surgery
- Opioid medications for pain or cough (e.g. tramadol, morphine)
- Phenothiazines , for example chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
- Rifampin (a medicine for tuberculosis)
This list is just a few examples. Not all interactions are listed here. So it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
What are the important things to consider when using Zonisamide?
See your doctor for regular checkups to check the progress of your treatment, to see if the medicine is working properly, and to see if there are any problems. Tell your doctor if your symptoms (e.g., seizures) don't improve or get worse.
If possible, wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace that lists your condition (e.g., epilepsy) and the medications you take. Or keep a card with those details in your purse or nearby at all times. This can be very helpful in an emergency.
Very important: Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Remember, if you stop taking it suddenly without your doctor's advice, your seizures may become uncontrolled and you may start having more frequent seizures. This can be a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine you should take. If you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will tell you to gradually reduce the dose. This will help reduce the risk of side effects.
This medicine may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. For example, if you are taking this medicine and you are climbing stairs, you may be more likely to trip and fall. Things like that. So, do not drive, work at heights, or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. To reduce dizziness and fainting, stand up slowly when getting up from a sitting position or from bed. Taking alcohol with this medicine can make these side effects worse.
If you notice any changes in your eyesight , for example, blurred vision or eye pain, tell your doctor immediately .
Serious risks! Be especially careful about these!
This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions . For example, our neighbor Nimal developed red rashes all over his body and a fever about two weeks after starting this medicine. He told the doctor right away, so it wasn't a big problem. Similarly, these can happen a few weeks or even months after starting the medicine. If you develop a rash with symptoms like fever, tell your doctor immediately. The rash may be red or purple, and may then blister and peel off. Also, be concerned if your face or lips swell, or if your lymph nodes in the neck or armpits swell and develop red rashes.
Watch for new or worsening thoughts of suicide or depression. Also watch for sudden changes in mood, behavior, or thinking. These changes can happen at any time, but are more common early in treatment or after changing your medication dosage. If you have these thoughts or your depression gets worse, talk to your doctor right away . Don't ignore them.
If you are trying to get pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. This medicine can cause serious birth defects . So it is very important to talk about this.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, Zonisamide can cause some side effects. Not everyone gets them, but it's good to be aware of the possible ones. Some are serious and you should tell your doctor right away. Some are not so serious, but if they are bothersome, tell your doctor .
If these side effects occur, you should tell your doctor immediately :
- Allergic reactions – This includes skin rashes, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (which may cause difficulty breathing).
- Aplastic anemia – This means feeling unusually tired, feeling weak, dizzy, having headaches, difficulty breathing, bleeding from anything (e.g. nosebleeds, bleeding gums) or bruising (like bruises).
- Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) – This means slow or shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, fainting, dizziness, confusion, difficulty staying awake, and excessive sleepiness.
- Unremitting fever, decreased sweating (may feel like the body is hot).
- High acid levels in the blood – difficulty breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting.
- High ammonia level in the blood – unusual weakness or fatigue, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, seizures (fits).
- Symptoms of infection – fever, chills, shivering, cough, or sore throat.
- Kidney stones – Blood in the urine, pain or burning when urinating, difficulty urinating, severe pain in the lower back or side (under the ribs).
- Skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or peeling of the skin, including in the mouth.
- Sudden eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision, seeing halos around lights, or loss of vision.
- Suicidal thoughts , thoughts of harming yourself, mood swings, feelings of depression.
If these side effects persist or bother you, tell your doctor :
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or speaking (like slurring words).
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness.
- Constantly feeling angry and irritable.
- Loss of appetite.
- Loss of balance or coordination, such as when walking.
- Slow or sluggish movements of the body.
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual or different, don't be afraid to ask your doctor about it.
How should I store this medicine? How do I dispose of old medicine?
Keep this medicine in a covered, covered place out of reach of children and pets . It is very important.
Store at room temperature, between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Do not expose to excessive heat or moisture. Protect from light. Never use expired medicines, and dispose of them properly.
Here are some things you can do when disposing of unused or expired medications:
- Return the medication to a medication take-back program, available at government pharmacies or some hospitals. You can find out about such a program at your pharmacy or local health department office.
- If you can't return it that way, check the label on the medicine bottle or packet to see if it should be thrown in the trash or flushed down the toilet. Many medicines should not be flushed down the toilet, as they can be harmful to the environment. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If it says it's safe to throw in the trash, take the pods out of the bottle and mix them with something that no one eats and that is not attractive to animals, such as cat litter, old coffee grounds, or soil. Then, put the mixture in a resealable plastic bag or old container, seal it well, and throw it in the trash.
So, what are the most important things we need to remember from all of this?
Simply put, Zonisamide is an important medication that is used to control seizure disorders such as epilepsy. When using it, you should follow the doctor's instructions exactly as prescribed.
- It is essential to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any new symptoms, especially skin problems (bleeds, blisters), mental changes (fatigue, irritability), or vision changes .
- If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should be especially careful about this medication and talk to your doctor.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
- Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
Remember, this article is for general information only. Only your doctor can give you the best advice and treatment for your specific condition. Always talk to your doctor and ask any questions you have. This will help you safely and properly undergo this treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
` Zonisamide, epilepsy, fit, convulsion, seizures, medication, side effects
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න