Axokine Side Effects

Axokine is a brand new drug with hopes of being a totally different kind of weight-loss drug. It's a man-made chemical that mimics a chemical the brain makes to protect itself from injury. It was designed as a possible treatment for Lou Gehrig's disease. But when researchers gave the experimental drug to patients, they lost weight.

The drug affects a powerful brain system called the leptin pathway. Leptin is a chemical messenger that tells you when you've had enough to eat. Obese people have leptin resistance; they lose the ability to know when they're full. Axokine apparently bypasses this resistance and flips the fullness switch.

Perhaps the best news came in the yearlong period after treatment. There was no immediate weight gain when drug treatment stopped. After about a year, patients treated with Axokine started to gain some weight.

There was a high rate of side effects reported for both the weight-loss drug Axokine and placebo. Side effects that appeared linked to Axokine treatment included skin reactions at the site of injection, nausea, and increased cough. These last two side effects weren't as much a problem in those who got the best dose of Axokine.

Zonegran Side Effects

Like other medicines, Zonegran can cause some side effects. If they do occur, the side effects of Zonegran are most likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and may require the individual to inform the doctor or visit the nearest hospital immediately. It is pertinent to note that side effects of Zonegran cannot be anticipated. If any side effects of Zonegran develop or change in intensity, the doctor should be informed as soon as possible.

Zonegran can cause side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, heartburn, dizziness, weight loss, constipation, and trouble sleeping. This is not a complete list of all side effects. Do concur with your doctor and follow his directions completely when you are taking Zonegran.

Usually drug interactions occur when it is taken with another drug or with food. Before you take a medication for a particular ailment, you should inform the health expert about intake of any other medications including non-prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines that may increase the effect of Zonegran, and dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals and herbal, so that the doctor can warn you of any possible drug interactions.

Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks containing caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

Zonisamide Side Effects

Zonegran (zonisamide) helps reduce the frequency of partial epileptic seizures, a form of epilepsy in which neural disturbances are limited to a specific region of the brain and the victim remains conscious throughout the attack. Zonegran (zonisamide) is used in combination with other antiseizure medications, not by itself. Do not stop taking Zonegran (zonisamide) on your own. If the doctor decides to discontinue Zonegran (zonisamide), he will tell you how to taper off slowly. Abrupt discontinuation of Zonegran (zonisamide)can cause seizures.

Zonegran capsules should be swallowed whole and can be taken with or without food. Store Zonegran (zonisamide) at room temperature in a dry place. Protect Zonegran (zonisamide) from light.

Zonegran (zonisamide) side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Zonegran (zonisamide).


More common Zonegran (zonisamide) side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, agitation, confusion, depression, diarrhea, difficulty concentrating, difficulty with memory, dizziness, double vision and other visual disturbances, drowsiness, fatigue, flu syndrome, headache, insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, loss of muscle coordination, mental slowing, nausea, prickling or burning skin, rash, speech abnormalities, tiredness

Less common Zonegran (zonisamide) side effects may include:
Abnormal walk, accidental injury, alterations in taste sensation, anxiety, bruises, constipation, convulsions, difficulties in verbal expression, dry mouth, indigestion, nasal stuffiness, nervousness, psychotic behavior, rash, runny nose, sensitivity to touch, tremor, vomiting, weakness, weight loss


Rare Zonegran (zonisamide) side effects may include:
Abnormal dreams, abnormal hair growth, abnormal sense of smell, acne, allergic reaction, anemia, arthritis, black stools, bleeding gums, breast growth in males, chest pain, coughing up blood, decreased sex drive, dehydration, difficulty swallowing, dry skin, euphoria, eye problems, facial swelling or paralysis, fainting, fatigue, fluid retention, gallstones, gas, hair loss, hearing loss, heart irregularities and problems, high blood pressure, impotence, inability to breathe, incontinence, increased pressure in the eye, increased cough, inflammation of the gums and inside of the mouth, itching, jaundice, joint aches, leg cramps, low blood pressure, lupus erythematosus, malaise, mental problems, missed menstrual periods, movement disorders, muscle aches, muscle weakness, neck rigidity, nerve pain, painful breasts, painful urination, rapid heart rate, rash, rectal bleeding, ringing in the ears, skin disorders, sore throat, spasms, speech difficulties, stroke, sweating, thirst, twitching, urinary problems, uterine bleeding, vertigo, vomiting blood, weight gain

Do not take Zonegran (zonisamide) if you are allergic to sulfa drugs such as Bactrim.

If you develop a rash while taking Zonegran (zonisamide), call your physician immediately. It could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

Zonegran (zonisamide) may cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how Zonegran (zonisamide) affects you.

People who take Zonegran (zonisamide) are prone to develop kidney stones. To reduce the risk of stone formation, be sure to drink plenty of fluids. Call your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of kidney stones such as back pain, abdominal pain, painful urination, or blood in the urine.

Call your doctor if you start to bruise easily or develop a fever, a sore throat, or blisters in the mouth. These could be signs of anemia or other blood problems that Zonegran (zonisamide) has been known to trigger in very rare cases.

Contact your doctor immediately if your seizures worsen.

Zonegran (zonisamide) may interfere with a child's ability to perspire and control body temperature, leading to a medical emergency. Zonegran (zonisamide) is not approved for use in children under 16.

If Zonegran (zonisamide) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects if either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zonegran (zonisamide) with the following:

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Valproate (Depakote)

In most cases, Zonegran (zonisamide) should not be taken by pregnant women because there is a chance that it could harm the developing baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether Zonegran (zonisamide) appears in breast milk, but because it could cause a serious reaction if it did, you'll probably need to make a choice between breastfeeding and continuing your Zonegran (zonisamide) therapy. Be sure to discuss the question with your doctor.

The recommended starting Zonegran (zonisamide) dose for adults over the age of 16 is 100 milligrams once a day.

Your physician may wish to increase the Zonegran (zonisamide) dose by 100 milligrams every 2 weeks to a maximum of 600 milligrams per day. Larger doses can be divided into two smaller doses taken twice a day.

Symptoms of Zonegran (zonisamide) overdose may include:
Diminished breathing, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat