Compare Lamictal vs. Zonegran
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Prevents seizures and stabilizes mood.
Lamictal (Lamotrigine) is most useful for treating severe seizure disorders, and for bipolar disorder with more depression symptoms than manic symptoms. Just be careful to increase your dose slowly to avoid skin rash.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 184 reviewsforLamictal
Controls partial seizures.
Zonegran (zonisamide) is used with other medicines to help control partial seizures. It can't be used by itself.
Upsides
- Effective at lowering the frequency of seizures in people with epilepsy or Lennox-Gestaut syndrome. Typically used together with other medications for severe seizure disorders.
- Works best for partial, tonic-clonic, and absence seizures.
- A first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Effective long-term treatment for stabilizing mood. Prevents both depressive and manic episodes, but the effect is greater for preventing depression.
- Doesn't require routine blood tests.
- Available in generic.
- Can be given once a day, so it's easier to remember.
- You can take Zonegran (zonisamide) with or without food.
Downsides
- Can cause double vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and headache.
- Has the risk of a rare but life-threatening rash.
- Can make hormonal birth control less effective.
- Might be less effective than other medicines for treating manic episodes (acute mania) in people with bipolar disorder.
- Zonegran (zonisamide) has to be used with other medicines to help control your seizures. It's not used by itself.
- Zonegran (zonisamide) is only approved in people age 16 or older.
- Zonegran (zonisamide) can cause kidney stones; so you have to make sure you drink plenty of liquids.
- Zonegran (zonisamide) can weaken your bones. Talk to your doctor about how to keep your bones strong.
- Other medicines used to control seizures can interact with Zonegran (zonisamide), so your doctor might have to change the dosing of your medications.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Chewable tablet
- Dissolving tablet
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$46.51
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$15.82
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Reviews
184 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
58%
saiditworked well
18%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lamictal (Lamotrigine)?
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Side effects
36possible side effects
- Dizziness38%
- Headache28%
- Diplopia28%
- Ataxia22%
- Nausea19%
- Blurred vision16%
- Somnolence14%
- Rhinitis14%
- Pharyngitis10%
- Rash10%
- Vomiting9%
- Cough increased8%
- Flu syndrome7%
- Dysmenorrhea7%
- Fever6%
- Diarrhea6%
- Incoordination6%
- Insomnia6%
- Abdominal pain5%
- Dyspepsia5%
- Constipation4%
- Tremor4%
- Depression4%
- Anxiety4%
- Vaginitis4%
- Convulsion3%
- Irritability3%
- Speech disorder3%
- Pruritus3%
- Vision abnormality3%
- Neck pain2%
- Reaction aggravated (seizure exacerbation)2%
- Anorexia2%
- Arthralgia2%
- Concentration disturbance2%
- Amenorrhea2%
34possible side effects
- Sleepiness17%
- Loss of appetite13%
- Dizziness13%
- Headache10%
- Nausea9%
- Agitation or Irritability9%
- Fatigue8%
- Tiredness7%
- Stomach pain6%
- Difficulty controlling movements6%
- Confusion6%
- Difficulty with concentration6%
- Difficulty with memory6%
- Depression6%
- Trouble sleeping6%
- Double vision6%
- Diarrhea5%
- Speech difficulties5%
- Flu4%
- Difficulty controlling eye movements4%
- Prickling and tingling sensation4%
- Mental slowing4%
- Upset stomach3%
- Weight loss3%
- Anxiety3%
- Skin rash3%
- Constipation2%
- Dry mouth2%
- Bruising2%
- Nervousness2%
- Schizophrenia-like behavior2%
- Difficulties in verbal expression2%
- Stuffy nose2%
- Changes in taste2%
Risks and risk factors
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Serious skin rash
- People also taking Depakote
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Increasing the dose too quickly
- Serious allergic reactions
- Blood disorders
- Meningitis
- Interactions with birth control pills
- Taking birth control pills
- Withdrawal seizures
- Stopping Lamictal (Lamotrigine) suddenly
- Sulfa medicine allergy
- Allergy to sulfonamides such as Septra or Bactrim
- Lower blood cell counts
- Heat stroke and less sweating
- Under age 18
- Suicidal behavior
- Taking other medicines to control seizures
- Higher blood acid
- Diarrhea
- Kidney disease
- Severe COPD or lung disease
- Withdrawal seizures