An Introduction to Banzel Side Effects
Just like any medicine,
Banzel™ (
rufinamide) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Banzel. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Banzel side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Banzel
Banzel has been thoroughly studied in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking Banzel in addition to their usual
seizure medications were documented and compared to the side effects that occurred in another group of people taking their usual
seizure medications plus a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it is possible to see what Banzel side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group taking the placebo.
Because Banzel was added to other seizure medications in clinical studies and was not used alone, the information from these studies probably does not accurately reflect the true incidence of side effects actually caused by Banzel.
In these studies, the most common possible side effects of Banzel (plus other seizure medications) included:
- Headaches -- in up to 27 percent of people
- Drowsiness -- up to 24.3 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 19 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 17 percent
- Nausea -- up to 12 percent
- Fatigue -- up to 9.5 percent
- Double vision -- up to 9 percent.
Other common side effects, occurring in 3 to 8 percent of people, included:
- The flu
- Common cold symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Rash
- Coordination problems
- Bronchitis
- Sinus infections or irritation
- Hyperactivity
- Upper abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Ear infections
- Attention problems
- Itching
- Shakiness (tremors)
- Involuntary eye movements
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Back pain
- A spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Difficulty walking or changes in the walking pattern.
