Zonegran and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Pea...
• May 2, 2021

For Seizures "Zonegran has stopped my seizures, but I'd rather have seizures than deal with these side effects. I lost my job due to this medication. I am 21 years old and tried watching Harry Potter... couldn’t understand a thing. Words do not click for me anymore. I had to set reminders for everything because I can’t even remember simple tasks. Social activities are out of the question. I am so anxious and paranoid all the time. I get a feeling that someone is behind me even if I’m lying down or standing up against a wall. I haven’t battled with depression that’s been this intense before. This stuff makes me feel non-existent. All I want to do is sleep. It made me weak physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s changing my personality and my relationships. It made me so angry and hurtful. It’s scary stuff. I wouldn’t recommend this medication, especially for those who already cannot communicate clearly due to age or disability."

• Sti...
• January 4, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking Zonegran for a few years now at 300mg per day. It has really gotten my headaches under control to where I would only have a headache periodically. Weight loss has been a side effect that I haven't minded. The problem is I've had significant memory and focus issues. I hardly felt competent most of the time. I have slowly weaned myself down to 100mg per day. I notified my neurologist of this because it's an anti-seizure medicine, so you shouldn't stop it cold turkey or it could cause a seizure. My memory has improved significantly, but the headaches have returned with a vengeance. I'm back to taking narcotics to address each debilitating headache. I used to take Topamax. It too worked beautifully, but also wiped out the memory."

• Emi...
• October 9, 2013

For Seizures "I have been taking Zonegran, 300mg daily for 8 years. I have complex partial seizures that generalize about 90% of the time. I have tried just about every other medication out there and this is the only one that has kept my epilepsy under control. I do have side effects: some depression, anorexia (defined as loss of appetite). I started this medication weighing around 125 lbs and now after three children weigh 105 lbs and can't remember the last time I was hungry, and I have noticed that it is harder for me to retain information and I sometimes have to read things twice to understand them where before Zonegran I easily understood and retained information. Despite these side effects, I won't ever try a different medication. Totally worth it."

• Zon...
• March 30, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I have used Zonegran for headaches only. It is the only thing that seems to have lessened them somewhat, but I still have headaches and they affect me cognitively. I'm mentally slower, have word-finding problems, my memory is bad, and my attention is terrible. I've tried to go off it on occasion, but my headaches get absolutely awful, so I stay on it."

• was...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2020

For Seizures "Started taking 300 mg of Zonegran/Zonisamide my freshman year of high school and have been on it for 3 years. The drug is good at what it’s supposed to do-control seizures. However, the side effects are getting so extreme that I’m in the process of changing medicine. Lost 60 lbs, hands/feet feeling tingly, slurred speech, getting agitated, and more forgetful. Although those were tolerable and pretty mild, I started experiencing cloudy urine that would be incredibly painful and, at this point, unbearable. If you're thinking about taking this medication, make sure to DRINK WATER!"

• Ste...
• November 26, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I have been given many different diagnoses (Hemicrania continua, primary trochlear headache, Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia). Currently, I have migrainous type chronic headache with Atypical Facial Pain. I was on 300 mg Topamax with a bunch of other stuff, and this helped, but I couldn't add 2 and 2. It was like north pole magnets coming together. Now I have been on 200mg Zonisamide (Zonegran) for about 2 years, and I have a 50% reduction in pain. As for cognitive impairment, I can live with the loss of spelling and reduced vocabulary. It's not that bad compared to either the pain or Topamax."

• Dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2020

For Seizures "This drug Zonegran made me angry, depressed, and generally uninterested in life. The cognitive effects are pretty severe as well. Almost lost my job due to my performance while on Zonegran. When I stopped taking it, I felt like someone lifted the fog and turned the lights on again."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I woke up one day with a feeling that I was rocking in a boat, severe head pressure, and nausea. This lasted 3 months until my neurologist prescribed this medication for migraines. It made me feel like I could live my life again. I do get a little forgetful on it, but it is worth it to not have my migraines and constant dizziness."

• JJK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2021

For Seizures "Not a fan of Zonegran, it did not improve my seizure condition at all and caused hyperglycemia, increased hunger, loss of muscle, and memory impairment."