Drug interactions
Asenapine + Zonisamide
Severity: Moderate
Asenapine and Zonisamide: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs cause somnolence, dizziness and cognitive slowing, so combined use can increase sedation and impair psychomotor function. Zonisamide may also cause psychiatric adverse effects relevant to patients taking antipsychotics.
What this interaction means in plain words
Asenapine and Zonisamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Asenapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Zonisamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depression (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Monitor for oversedation and mood changes, particularly when titrating doses. Advise patients to avoid driving until the effect is known.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Asenapine
- Asenapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Asenapine Major
- Alfentanil + Asenapine Major
- Alfuzosin + Asenapine Major
Other interactions of Zonisamide
- Zonisamide + Zuranolone Major
- Acetazolamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amisulpride + Zonisamide Moderate
- Amobarbital + Zonisamide Moderate
- Apalutamide + Zonisamide Moderate
- Asenapine transdermal + Zonisamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Asenapine with Zonisamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Asenapine and Zonisamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs cause somnolence, dizziness and cognitive slowing, so combined use can increase sedation and impair psychomotor function. Zonisamide may also cause psychiatric adverse effects relevant to patients taking antipsychotics.
How serious is the interaction between Asenapine and Zonisamide?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for oversedation and mood changes, particularly when titrating doses. Advise patients to avoid driving until the effect is known.
What other medicines interact with Asenapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Asenapine with, for example, Pimozide, Thioridazine, Vandetanib. The full list is on the Asenapine page.
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