Does Zonisamide Interact with Valproate?
Zonisamide and Valproate have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Non-enzyme inducing AED; zonisamide half-life of 46 hours when used concomitantly. No appreciable effect on steady-state plasma concentrations. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Zonisamide Class
- Anti-epileptic Agent
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Zonisamide and your doctor is considering prescribing Valproate (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider