Key takeaways
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Zonisamide (Zonegran) are both antiepileptic medications used to control seizures, but they have some key differences. Lamotrigine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms and can also be used to treat bipolar disorder, while Zonisamide is only used for partial-onset seizures and comes in capsule and oral suspension forms. Lamotrigine can be used alone or with other medications, whereas Zonisamide is typically used as an add-on treatment. Lamotrigine has a risk of serious skin reactions and requires a slow dose increase to minimize this risk, while Zonisamide can cause reduced sweating and heat stroke, especially in younger people. Additionally, Lamotrigine is available as a lower-cost generic in various forms, while Zonisamide's oral suspension is only available as a brand-name medication. Both medications can cause dizziness and sleepiness, but Zonisamide is not safe for people with a sulfa allergy.
