Information for Patients: Inform patients of the availability of a Medication Guide, and instruct them to read the Medication Guide prior to taking zonisamide. Instruct patients to take zonisamide only as prescribed.

Advise patients as follows: (See Medication Guide)

  1. Zonisamide may produce drowsiness, especially at higher doses. Patients should be advised not to drive a car or operate other complex machinery until they have gained experience on zonisamide sufficient to determine whether it affects their performance. Because of the potential of zonisamide to cause CNS depression, as well as other cognitive and/or neuropsychiatric adverse events, zonisamide should be used with caution if used in combination with alcohol or other CNS depressants. 
  2. Patients should contact their physicians immediately if a skin rash develops (see WARNINGS, Serious Skin Reactions subsection).
  3. Instruct patients to seek immediate medical attention if they experience blurred vision, visual disturbances, or periorbital pain (see WARNINGS, Acute Myopia and Secondary Angle Closure Glaucoma subsection).
  4. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they develop signs or symptoms, such as sudden back pain, abdominal pain, and/or blood in the urine, that could indicate a kidney stone. Increasing fluid intake and urine output may reduce the risk of stone formation, particularly in those with predisposing risk factors for stones (see PRECAUTIONS, Kidney Stones subsection).
  5. Patients should contact their physician immediately if a child has been taking zonisamide and is not sweating as usual with or without a fever (see WARNINGS, Oligohidrosis and Hyperthermia in Pediatric Patients subsection).
  6. Because zonisamide can cause hematological complications, patients should contact their physician immediately if they develop a fever, sore throat, oral ulcers, or easy bruising. (see WARNINGS, Serious Hematologic Events subsection).
  7. Counsel patients and caregivers that AEDs, including zonisamide, may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior and advise them of the need to be alert for the emergence or worsening of symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self-harm. Behaviors of concern should be reported immediately to healthcare providers (see WARNINGS, Suicidal Behavior and Ideation subsection).
  8. Warn patients about the possible development of hyperammonemia with or without encephalopathy. Although hyperammonemia may be asymptomatic, clinical symptoms of hyperammonemic encephalopathy often include acute alterations in level of consciousness and/or cognitive function with lethargy and/or vomiting. Instruct patients to contact their physician if they develop unexplained lethargy, vomiting, or changes in mental status (see WARNINGS, Hyperammonemia and Encephalopathy subsection).
  9. Patients should contact their physician immediately if they develop fast breathing, fatigue/tiredness, loss of appetite, or irregular heart beat or palpitations, which are possible manifestations of metabolic acidosis (see WARNINGS, Metabolic Acidosis subsection).
  10. As with other AEDs, patients should contact their physician if they intend to become pregnant or are pregnant during zonisamide therapy. Patients should notify their physician if they intend to breast-feed or are breast-feeding an infant. (see PRECAUTIONS, Use in Nursing Mothers subsection).
  11. Encourage patients to enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry if they become pregnant. This registry is collecting information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. To enroll, patients can call the toll-free number 1-888-233-2334 (see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy subsection).