Diabetic nerve pain|Trigeminal neuralgia|Epilepsy/Seizures

In Diabetic nerve pain ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER relieves nerve pain by decreasing nerve impulses which cause the pain. If the pain is reduced you will feel more comfortable going about your daily life but you should continue with all other diabetes medicines as prescribed. This medicine is not associated with any physical or psychological dependence (addiction) but it should not be stopped suddenly. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew crush or break it. ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may be taken with or without food but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat epilepsy. It helps prevent certain types of seizures (fits). It is also prescribed for a painful condition of the face head and neck known as trigeminal neuralgia and diabetes-related nerve pain (diabetic neuropathy).ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER must be taken with or without food but take it at the same time every day. The dose and how often you need to take it will be decided by your doctor so that you get the right amount to control your symptoms. It may be increased gradually. Many other medicines can interfere with this medicine so tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking to make sure it is safe.You can take this medicine with or without food but take it regularly at the same time each day to get the maximum benefit. It is important to take this medicine for as long as you are advised even if you feel well. Missing even a single dose may trigger a seizure and if you stop taking it abruptly your condition may get worse.The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea vomiting feeling dizzy tired or drowsy unsteadiness (balance disorder) constipation dry mouth and itching. Some people may develop blurring of vision and slurred speech. Most of the side effects are not serious. However let your doctor know straight away if you notice a skin rash or if your mood becomes depressed or if you develop any thoughts about harming yourself. Before taking ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER tell your doctor if you have any heart problems kidney or liver disease difficulty in urinating or any mental illness like depression. These conditions may affect your treatment. You may be advised some blood tests (eg. CBC) before starting treatment and then periodically thereafter to monitor your progress.

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew crush or break it. ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may be taken with or without food but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

- Alcohol : UNSAFE <p> ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol. | - Pregnancy : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR <p> ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor. | - Breast feeding : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR <p> ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. | - Driving : UNSAFE <p> ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may decrease alertness affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur. | - Kidney : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR <p> There is limited information available on the use of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor. | - Liver : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR <p> There is limited information available on the use of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

If you miss a dose of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER take it as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Chemical Class :: Iminostilbene Derivative|Habit Forming :: No|Therapeutic Class :: NEURO CNS

Diabetic nerve pain|Trigeminal neuralgia|Epilepsy/Seizures

Dizziness | Nausea | Vomiting | Constipation | Sleepiness | Abnormality of voluntary movements

Q. How quickly does ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER start working?::: Your symptoms may take 1-2 weeks to improve. However in some cases it may take even longer. Consult your doctor if your condition doesn't improve or if you have any doubts regarding your condition.| Q. Is ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER an analgesic? What is it used for?::: No ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER is not an analgesic and should not be used for regular aches or pains. It is an anti-epileptic medicine which is used to treat fits (seizures). It is also used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (intense facial nerve pain). In addition to that ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER is used to control mood disorders when other medicines fail to work.| Q. What should I tell my doctor before taking ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER?::: Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including medicines for epilepsy or seizures medicines used to thin your blood (e.g. warfarin) medicines to control bacterial infection (e.g. chloramphenicol metronidazole and doxycycline) and medicines to control viral infection (e.g. nelfinavir). Also let your doctor know if you take asthma medicines (e.g. theophylline and montelukast) birth control pills etc. It is important to tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Further you should tell the doctor if you have ever had liver problems kidney problems lung problems or porphyria (a rare blood pigment disorder).| Q. What are the long-term effects of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER?::: The long-term side effects of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER vary from person to person. While some people can take ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER safely for several years some may develop side effects on using it for long term. These side effects include osteoporosis and osteopenia in which the bones become weak and can get easily fractured. Therefore if you have been prescribed ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER for a long term get your bone density checked at regular intervals maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily.| Q. What should I avoid while taking ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER?::: ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may make you sleepy or you may feel dizzy. Therefore avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. Alcohol consumption should be avoided since taking both together may cause excessive sleepiness.| Q. How do I stop taking ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER?::: You should stop ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER only after consulting your doctor. It is advised to gradually decrease the dose of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER so that the condition for which you are taking it does not recur.| Q. How can I look for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?::: Pay attention to any changes especially sudden changes in mood behavior thoughts or feelings. Keep all follow-up visits with your doctor as scheduled. Call your doctor as needed especially if you are worried about any symptoms.| Q. Can the use of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER lead to weight gain? If yes how can it be managed?::: Yes ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER causes weight gain as a common side effect. This could be due to an increase in appetite. You can manage your weight by eating a healthy diet consuming low calorie food and including more vegetables and fruits in your diet. Also regular physical exercise will be very helpful.| Q. Can the use of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER affect my sex life?::: Though rare but ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER may cause decreased sexual desire. It may also impair male fertility as it may reduce sperm count and/or motility. Consult your doctor if you develop these symptoms.| Q. I am taking ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER for trigeminal neuralgia. For how long do I need to take it?::: Once the medicine relieves your pain talk to your doctor who will gradually reduce your dose. ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER can be possibly stopped if there is no recurrence of pain after taking the reduced dose for several weeks.| Q. How can I reduce the side effects of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER?::: Side effects of ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER can be reduced by starting it at a low dose. The doctor may gradually increase the dose until an effective dose is reached.| Q. When should I go for a laboratory test when taking this medicine?::: Before starting treatment with ZEN Retard 400 Tablet ER your doctor may ask you to get regular blood tests liver function test and in some cases even a urine test. You may need to take these tests from time to time during your treatment. This is quite usual and nothing to worry about.