Mucous in throat

[j.j.]

Hi All, I take Zonisamide(Zonagran) and Phenytoin(Dilantin) and have thickened mucous down in the back of my throat.This started after I had a problem with the underside of my tongue going very red and the bottom of my mouth swelling.I had already been on both drugs for a while before this occurred, I have seen my G.P. she thinks I've had a virus. Any thoughts? Janet

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Janet --

One of the known side effects that Zonisamide can cause is metabolic acidosis, where you have too much acid in the stomach and in the body in general. (When I was on Zonisamide, this gradually became a problem for me, and my stomach bothered me all the time due to acidity. After 6 months I had to switch to a different med).

One of the results of acidosis is the build-up of mucus. Prolonged acidic conditions can increase the amount of mucus produced in the respiratory system and elsewhere in the body. These symptoms represent an effort by the body to rid itself of acidic waste products. (Acidity can trigger the mucus membrane, just the way allergens can.) Mucus is the one of the body's responses to protect itself from acidic pollutants.

Because of the possibility of metabolic acidosis, in 2009, the FDA came out with the recommendation (see link below) that a baseline level of serum bicarbonate should be measured before starting zonisamide, and that the level should then be tested periodically as long as you are on zonisamide. You might want to ask your neurologist about this if you haven't been tested.

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety...mationforHeathcareProfessionals/ucm095251.htm

Zonisamide is also hard on the kidneys, so make sure to drink a lot of water!

 

[daisy.girl]

I had allergic reaction to zonegran. Coughing and coughing up blood, awoke in the mornings with swollen face and eyelids.