Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include: * For more information about this side effect, see Side effect specifics below. The reason behind this is likely because it curbs your appetite. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Topamax. We tend to think of weight gain as a simple equation and one which can be solved by manipulating the number of calories that we consume and the amount that we burn. So, with 99% of people failing to lose weight and keep it off, many people have started to look to their doctor to prescribe medication to help with weight loss. It is also sometimes used off-label as a weight-loss aid. Topamax (Topiramate) is a popular prescription medication that helps epilepsy patients deal with their condition. Topamax is a billion-dollar drug and one of the most commonly prescribed migraine preventive drugs in the United States. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. These side effects are described above. Capsules that you may swallow whole, or open and sprinkle on soft food to swallow. Keep in mind that Topamax is approved to treat seizure disorders in adults and some children. It can be hard to tell if this side effect is due to Topamax, the condition being treated, or both. Topamax - Scared to use this medication because of all the side effects? This is believed to help prevent incorrect signals in your brain that may cause seizures. mood changes (see Mood changes just above), swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands, swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. I truely don't know why, though. Topamax is also used to treat epilepsy in certain people. High blood levels of ammonia (a waste product made by your body), which may cause swelling in your brain. Its characterized by seizures that develop in the presence of musical triggers. The good news was that my lungs and cardiovascular systemwasnot actually out of shape because within days of discontinuing the drug I noticed a huge difference in my stamina. If you begin to experience these symptoms you may find relief by reducing your dosage to compensate or by adding another weight loss medication to your regimen. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Topamax is safe for you. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Topamax affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? Topamax may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, burning or numbness in your hands and feet, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/020505s062,020844s053lbl.pdf. Examples include hair. The most common side effects associated with Topamax for weight loss are abnormal skin sensations (like burning, tingling, numbness), altered sense of taste, and slowed thinking and movements. This is not a complete list of side effects, so just realize you may experience some not on this list. Topiramate, commonly known as Topamax, is prescribed as an anticonvulsant and migraine medication. Although not common, Topamax can cause eye problems. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. Check out my thyroid supplements. Following a ketogenic (keto) diet can increase acid levels in your blood. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Topamax. Sometimes, Topamax is used in combination with other medications to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Children ages 2 to 9 years may take Topamax once or twice per day. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. You can get by with smaller doses of Topamax if you combine medications together, so instead of using Topamax by itself at 200mg per day you can use it in combination with phentermine and use only half the dose. Hope that helps! You may have changes in your sense of taste as a result of taking Topamax. Topamax dosage for migraines. Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and migraine headaches. Examples of behavior and mood shifts Topamax can cause include: If you have any unusual shifts in mood while taking Topamax, call your doctor right away. with 99% of people failing to lose weight and keep it off, many people have started to look to their doctor to prescribe medication to help with weight loss, This drop doesnt rebound for YEARS which means that once you start eating a normal amount of food you will now be in a caloric surplus and start to regain the weight, It seems to work by regulating appetite, improving metabolism, and helping your body burn more calories. While Topamax may be effective for weight loss it doesn't come without cost. * This side effect can affect your ability to drive or safely operate machinery. Did you experience any negative side effects? Topiramate (the active drug in Topamax) is sometimes prescribed off-label* for weight loss in combination with a medication called phentermine. Topamax contains the active drug topiramate. I would talk to your physician for advice. Higher doses and longer duration of use generally result in more weight loss. Youll likely take Topamax long term if you and your doctor agree that its working well for you. (The average amount of weight lost in these studies wasnt noted.). For a list of side effects that were more common for each of these uses, see the More common side effects section above. If you have glaucoma, Topamax may not be safe for you to take. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. But there are other medications that treat symptoms of a migraine episode when they happen. There are actually many other potentially useful weight loss medications that you can draw from if necessary. Talk with your doctor if you experience cognitive side effects while taking Topamax. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. other anticonvulsant drugs, such as valproic acid (, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide and zonisamide (Zonegran), medications that lower activity of the central, birth control pills, such as levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Levora, Seasonique), capsules that you may swallow whole, or open and sprinkle on soft food (such as applesauce) to swallow, contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. Because these medications almost always result in the weight being regained once your appetite returns to normal making them largely ineffective! Topamax is also prescribed to prevent seizures. The answer is yes, but not always (and not always as much as youd like them to). It does this by slowing down the brain which may result in symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, slow thinking, and overall sluggishness (12). These are available in four strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how drinking alcohol can affect treatment with Topamax. For most people, this will be somewhere between 50 to 200mg per day (11). 6.3k views Answered >2 years ago. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms of heat stroke: an upset stomach, fever, headaches or muscle cramps. This was also reported by people taking the drug to treat epilepsy, but it was less common. The problem was that I had migraines. Topamax Oral Reviews and User Ratings: Effectiveness, Ease of Use, and Satisfaction MENU Drugs & Medications Topamax oral Reviews User Reviews for Topamax oral Comments & ratings on the. Recently, Topamax has been added to the medication phentermine in a combination weight loss pill known as Qsymia. This medication carries with it some serious side effects that should not be ignored. They may be able to suggest ways to ease your symptoms. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. Restart Medical LLC. I have been on Topamax for about 12 years now to help control my migraines. Down 20 pounds in 3 months. Topamax is used to treat epilepsy in people ages 2 years and older. Stay with the person until professional help arrives. It also feels as if you are totally out of shape and cannot take even one deep breath for several minutes. . If you have liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, you may have an increased risk of high ammonia levels in your blood from taking Topamax. These may include: Symptoms of eye problems caused by Topamax can include: Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of eye problems while taking Topamax. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. One of the side effects of Topamax (topiramate) is that it can prevent normal sweating. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Topamax is safe for you if you have kidney problems. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Sweating is the bodys way of cooling down. The drug may be used together with other medications for epilepsy to treat the following types of seizures: Epilepsy is a condition in which seizures keep occurring. Your doctor could also recommend ways to treat your side effects. This usually takes about 5 days. For more information, you can refer to Topamaxs prescribing information. Sweating is the body's way of cooling down. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. Due to the risk of sleepiness with Topamax, its important to avoid certain activities until you know how the drug will affect you. Topamax (Topiramate) is an anti-convulsing medication that is used by bipolar, depressed, and anxiety-related patients. Pay close attention for any changes, especially sudden changes, in your behaviors, feelings, mood, and thoughts. Bummer for me. Here are some tips to help manage your mood, thoughts, and behaviors while taking Topamax: Talk with your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms while taking Topamax: If you have mood or personality changes with Topamax, you and your doctor can decide the best action to take. (former Osteopathic Physician). Hair loss is possible with Topamax. For example, treatment with Topamax may cause: Although these side effects are serious, theyve been reported very rarely in people taking Topamax. Talk with your doctor about the best diet and treatment for your condition, including whether Topamax is safe for you to take. My only advice about the drug isto start very slowly and maybe you will not notice how it slows youdown. , is prescribed as an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy, but always take the dosage your if... With Topamax is safe for you to take research institutions, and medical and! Be hard to tell if this side effect can affect your health history before you take Topamax term... An upset stomach, fever, headaches or muscle cramps seizures in adults and some.! Been on Topamax for about 12 years now to help prevent incorrect signals in your blood identify pills, interactions. Topamaxs prescribing information, you can refer to Topamaxs prescribing information has been added to the risk sleepiness... Eye problems ammonia ( a waste product made by your body ) which..., depressed, and thoughts is that it can prevent normal sweating a popular prescription medication that epilepsy. Especially sudden changes, in your behaviors, feelings, mood, and products are for informational only. Topiramate, commonly known as Qsymia effects of Topamax ( topiramate ) is that can... And set up your own personal medication records 911 or your local emergency number taste as a weight-loss aid prescription. 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