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Drug interactions

Ketoconazole + Zonisamide

Severity: Moderate

Ketoconazole 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

Ketoconazole may raise zonisamide concentrations, potentially increasing somnolence, dizziness, and other dose-related adverse effects.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ketoconazole 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.

Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals; Zonisamide belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Ketoconazole inhibits CYP3A4, which contributes to zonisamide metabolism.

What to do

Monitor for sedation, cognitive effects, and metabolic acidosis, and reduce zonisamide dose if adverse effects arise.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Ketoconazole with Zonisamide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketoconazole 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. Ketoconazole may raise zonisamide concentrations, potentially increasing somnolence, dizziness, and other dose-related adverse effects.

How serious is the interaction between Ketoconazole 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 sedation, cognitive effects, and metabolic acidosis, and reduce zonisamide dose if adverse effects arise.

What other medicines interact with Ketoconazole?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Ketoconazole with, for example, Alfuzosin, Alprazolam, Avanafil. The full list is on the Ketoconazole page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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