Zonisamide side effects

[Sabbo]

My neuro just added zonisamide--25mg/night, which I've been taking now for a week. A couple days after starting, I've noticed that I am usually bloated. I am also getting slight cramps once in a while in my lower stomach. They are similar to, but not as severe as the monthly type. Will these side effects go away? (I'm sure zonisamide is the cause of these feelings because everything else is the same).

 

[Nakamova]

"Abdominal or stomach pain" is listed as a common side effect for Z so it may well be the culprit.

I had stomach problems with Zonisamide, though not bloating. Because it can be an appetite suppressant, it was hard for me to eat enough and I developed a very acid stomach, as well as low blood sugar problems.

Zonisamide can be very dehydrating, so make sure you're getting plenty of liquids throughout the day.

 

[Sabbo]

Thanks for the info, Nakamova. I'm already drinking a lot of water/fluids because my current med doses are 400mg/day of both Topamax & Vimpat.

 

[Nakamova]

Hopefully the stomach bloating is just a temporary side effect for you.

 

[Sabbo]

It has now been 12 days since I started Zonisamide--I started on 11/10. The bloating hasn't subsided yet, & I'm only taking 25mg/day--at night.
It's really annoying because it is affecting the way my clothes are fitting! Maybe I'll just put up with having 1-3 complex partials/month. I definitely don't want to have to buy a new wardrobe just because of my meds.

 

[Nakamova]

maybe the side effect will go away after your brain adjusts to the zonisamide. In the meantime, try and avoid to foods that might be making the bloating worse...

I found a CWE thread about abdominal issues and zonisamide:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/stomach-pain-zonisamide-26679/