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RSD Alert
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| If you came direct to this page from a search engine and you don't know about this chronic pain condition (now called CRPS, but traditionally known as RSD), please take time to visit our Home page and learn about this painful condition. |
RSD Alert is a voluntary organisation
publishing information about CRPS (traditionally knwn as RSD). Most
of the data is provided by our readers.
All approved medical drugs work for some people but not for everyone.
Don't be alarmed by what you read. Many of our pages show both good
and bad comments... read both to get a balanced view. If in doubt
consult your medical advisor.
To contact one of the RSD Alert Team click CONTACT.
To pass on information for publication
in "Drugs on RSD Alert" click Submit Info.
NOTE: we do not reply to submissions. If you have questions
needing a reply click the CONTACT button (above).
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Drugs |
Drugs on RSD Alert
(notes and comments from correspondents) |
Zonegran |
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Description |
Proprietary (Elan Pharmaceuticals) preparation of the generic drug, zonisamide, provided in capsule form. This anti-epileptic drug is normally used to treat partial seizures in adults but has also been shown to be effective in some forms of neuropathic pain. Marketed in Japan under the name Excegran. |
Side effects(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients) |
Abdominal pain, agitation, appetite loss, bloody or dark urine, confusion, co-ordination problems, decreased sweating or a rise in body temperature, depression, difficulty in concentrating, disorientation, dizziness, drowsiness, fever, headache, irritability, mouth sores, nausea, pain when urinating, skin rash, sore throat, speech or language problems, sudden back pain, tendency to bruise easily, unusual thoughts. |
Warnings(These are standard cautions but may not apply in your case) |
Do not take Zonegran if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (e.g. Bactrim® or Septra®). Avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery. May cause birth defects (inform your doctor if you are or are likely to become pregnant. This drug should be discontinued in patients who develop a rash. |
Comments |
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Zonegran were bad news. They put me in a 'mental fog' and it
took me forever to realize what was causing it. The rash went
away after a week, however the tiredness I was feeling as a result
of them turned into confusion and seemed to take my thought process
away. (Hard to explain.) I stopped taking the Zonegran and I now
am feeling more clear headed and have had less flare ups. I'm
done experimenting with pills! I always seem to have bad side
effects and they don't do anything for the pain, so forget it.
My main goal now is more aggressive physical therapy along with
HBOT*. But, I wanted to let you know
about the Zonegran. (And I was only taking one pill at night,
thankfully didn't step up to taking two of them.) Cheryl -
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA I took Zonegran, and the first three times there was a definite increase in RSD pain after the dose accompanied by a very thick mental fog (considering the dose of 1/2 of 100 mg. capsule). It was not like my daily memory trouble, but the kind of mental fog one gets from a general anesthetic or narcotics they are unaccustomed to taking. I have decided not to "fool around" with a drug that was increasing my pain and, with my doctor's permission, stopped it. I am sure now what I think about the drug: No good for RSD. However, each patient is individual, and it may be of use to someone. Amanda - Pennsylvania, USA My doctor ramped me up to 300 mg of Zonegran a night. It did
not help the pain, did help headaches, but worst of all caused
petite mal seizures. The doctor abandoned my care immediately
when the seizures started. I weaned myself off the drug and am
seeking a new doctor. Maybe zonegran has helped some people, and
I wish them the best, but I was in a fog, forgetful, in constant
pain... pretty much more a mess than before the drug. RSD has
spread to my left arm into my back and now my legs are beginning
to show signs. The doctor who put me on the zonegran never told
me how to get off the drug; the neurologist said not to take me
off it without supervision because of the dangers of further seizures.
Originally I was put on the Zonegran for headaches...not seizures. I took myself off Zonegran. Warn anyone planning on geting off
Zonegran that they hould have a doctor's help. The withdrawal
had potentially dangerous side effects. Somewhere in the literature
I read that there may be "abnormal thoughts" but there
was an incredibly sadness that overtook me and I actually slit
my wrists. This is not my type of behaviour at all... I cringe
at nicking my legs if I shave them, so it was quite out of character.
The sadness and hoplessness were overwhelming, beyond depression.
It passed after a couple of days, but was very dangerous to do
on my own. Now I am more myself and feel quite well and am so
glad to be free of Remember - RSD/CRPS is rooted in the nervous system. The discovery that epilepsy drugs may have beneficial effects for RSD patients does not imply that they have epilepsy. |
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