Zonegran vs. Keppra

Zonegran (zonisamide) and Keppra (levetiracetam) are anticonvulsants used to treat seizures in patients with epilepsy.

Side effects of Zonegran and Keppra that are similar include drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling, and loss of appetite.

Side effects of Zonegran that are different from Keppra include headache, weight loss, loss of balance or coordination, sore throat, cough, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, blurred vision, and double vision.

Side effects of Keppra that are different from Zonegran include infection, stuffy nose, sleepiness, accidental injury, hostility, nervousness, and weakness.

Both Zonegran and Keppra may interact with alcohol.

Zonegran may also interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicines for depression or anxiety), other seizure medications, topiramate, or cold or allergy medicines that contain antihistamines.

Keppra may also interact with oral contraceptives, digoxin, warfarin, and probenecid.

Common side effects of Zonegran include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• sore throat,
• cough,
• trouble sleeping,
• diarrhea,
• blurred vision, or
• double vision.

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice serious side effects of Zonegran including increased or worsening seizures, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating, fever, chills, sores in your mouth and throat, severe pain in your lower back, blood in your urine, feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, or severe skin reaction.

Side effects of Keppra in adults include<:/p>

• drowsiness,
• weakness,
• infection,
• loss of appetite,
• stuffy nose,
• tiredness, and
• dizziness.

Side effects of Keppra in children include

• sleepiness,
• accidental injury,
• hostility, nervousness, and
• weakness.

Zonegran (zonisamide) is a sulfonamide anticonvulsant and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial seizures in adults with epilepsy.

Keppra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults and children 1 month of age and older with epilepsy.

Keppra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of myoclonic seizures in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Keppra is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children 6 years of age and older with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Zonegran may interact with other medicines that can make you sleepy (cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety) or other seizure medications. Gabapentin may also interact with lithium, hydrochlorothiazide, metformin, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bronchodilators, bladder or urinary medications, or glaucoma medications.

Keppra (levetiracetam) is available in pills in the following dosages and colors: 250 mg (blue), 500 mg (yellow), 750 mg (orange), and 1,000 mg (white). Keppra (levetiracetam) is also available as a clear, colorless grape-flavored liquid at a concentration of 100 mg/mL.

The dose of Zonegran is 25 mg or 100 mg capsules administered orally once or twice daily.

Take Keppra exactly as prescribed.

• Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Keppra to take and when to take it. Keppra is usually taken twice a day. Take Keppra at the same times each day.
• Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Take Keppra with or without food.
• Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or crush tablets. Ask your healthcare provider for Keppra oral solution if you cannot swallow tablets.
• If your healthcare provider has prescribed Keppra oral solution, be sure to ask your pharmacist for a medicine dropper or medicine cup to help you measure the correct amount of Keppra oral solution. Do not use a household teaspoon. Ask your pharmacist for instructions on how to use the measuring device the right way.
• If you miss a dose of Keppra, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
• If you take too much Keppra, call your local Poison Control Center or go to the nearest emergency room right away.