Generic Zonegran: An Overview
Currently, Zonegran is manufactured by Eisai, Inc. However, the patents for Zonegran have expired and generic Zonegran is now available.
Strengths of Generic Zonegran
Generic Zonegran capsules are available in the following strengths:
- Zonisamide 25 mg
- Zonisamide 50 mg
- Zonisamide 100 mg.
Who Makes Generic Zonegran?
Generic Zonegran is made by the following manufacturers:
- Apotex Corp.
- Barr Laboratories
- Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories
- Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
- Genpharm
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals
- Mutual Pharmaceuticals
- Mylan Pharmaceuticals
- Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Sandoz Pharmaceuticals
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- Wockhardt Americas.
Is Generic Zonisamide as Good as Zonegran?
All generic medications must undergo certain tests to compare them to brand-name medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) then looks at these tests to decide if the generic versions are equivalent to the brand-name medications and assigns a rating to each one. An "AB" rating means that the FDA has determined that a generic medication is equivalent to a brand-name medication. All of the generic zonisamide versions currently available have an "AB" rating, meaning they should be equivalent to Zonegran.
However, generic medications are allowed to have different inactive ingredients from the brand-name medication. This might include fillers, dyes, or other ingredients that may cause problems for people with certain
allergies or sensitivities. In addition, many healthcare providers feel that switching between different brands of Zonegran or zonisamide is not a good idea. Even small changes in a seizure medication can cause problems. If you are stable on a particular brand of Zonegran or zonisamide, it is best for you to stay on that brand, if possible. If you must switch brands, your healthcare provider may want to monitor you more closely for a while.
