I'm Dr. Westin Childs. Also, you should avoid exercising outdoors on a hot day. Topamax will not treat a migraine headache once it occurs. Topamax can increase your risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. There are actually many other potentially useful weight loss medications that you can draw from if necessary. These lists dont include all possible side effects. For this purpose, Topamax may be used on its own to treat two kinds of seizures: focal-onset or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Examples include hair. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Topamax. There is a pregnancy registry that helps healthcare professionals collect information about the safety of drugs, such as Topamax, during pregnancy. (The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Treatment with Topamax may cause sleepiness as a side effect. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug. Topamax can cause shifts or changes in mood, including suicidal thoughts. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. In this guide you will learn how Topamax works for weight loss, why it may be effective, the side effects it can cause, what dose you need for it to work and other weight loss medications to compare it to. You may notice changes in how you behave, feel, interact with others, and react. Sometimes, Topamax is used in combination with other medications to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. Brown fat helps to provide your body with heat and is a crucial part of metabolism maintenance. Although rare, treatment with Topamax can cause a condition called secondary closed-angle glaucoma. This dose can be increased up to 15mg of Phentermine and 92mg of Topiramate. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. Its important to note that all anticonvulsant drugs carry a risk of suicidal thoughts. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Topamax. I wish someone could explain it to me. For the last 8 years or so, my dosage has been 100 mg and it was great; I had some side effects, but since I was no longer having migraines I decided the side effects were no big deal. primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. So, dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. Check out my own personal health story. In some instances, your brain may also send signals to your body to consume more food even though you dont need it. Liver problems. and Topamax, plus exercise and the right food choices, I have lost 115 lbs. Generic Topamax (topiramate) is used in combination with phentermine in a weight loss medication called Qsymia. Follow me on Youtube, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more. It can also help with weight loss by decreasing your appetite. This mechanism is not well understood but it appears that, through these mechanisms, Topamax may help increase the amount of energy and heat that your body produces. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This refers to side effects that affect how you think. Obesity, it seems, is turning out to be a much more complex disease than was once thought. Hope that helps! I'm eating very healthy and exercise for an hour 4x a week. I was running faster and I had so much stamina. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Topamax in clinical trials. Hello Basher, You should be careful to not get overheated when you exercises. Each week, the daily dose is decreased by 25 milligrams (mg) to 50 mg. This should cause side effects of the drug to go away. thanks for the reply brussels!! Regarding Wellbutrin, doctors typically wont prescribe this drug to people with seizure disorders. A high temperature for children ages 2 years and older is above 99.5F (37.5C). Glaucoma. Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If so, what helped alleviate them? Choose a diet that contains fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Its thought that the drug works by affecting electrical and nerve signals in your brain. esxi vs proxmox performance deebot t8 cleaning solution testicular torsion pain level standing here i realize roblox id working anime shitting 25 acp ammo for self defense Keep all appointments with your doctor. Its not fully known how Topamax works for treating epilepsy. Warnings Topamax may cause vision problems that can be permanent if not treated quickly. You might be thinking that its a potentially good idea to combine these medications together to enhance your results. But the drug may be used off-label for treating these conditions. 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. If Topamax is taken by a child, their doctor will monitor their growth. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. Talk with your doctor about the risks of Topamax if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant. 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. If you have kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease, you have an increased risk of both metabolic acidosis and kidney stones as a complication. If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. Side effects in clinical trials were slightly different depending on whether people used the drug to treat seizures or to prevent migraine headaches. So, Topamax is the best mood-stabilizer for me. For example, fatigue (low energy) and feelings of burning or numbness in your hands and feet may go away as you continue taking Topamax. Topamax is not approved to treat bipolar disorder, anxiety, or alcoholism, also called alcohol use disorder. Increased acid in your blood is also a potential side effect from taking Topamax. Topiramate 25mg Weight Loss Remedy 4. I have been taking Topamax for 3 years now. See the section just below called Is Topamax used for other conditions? to learn more. Topamax may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. For example, they may suggest changing your dose. Clear liquid day before surgery. 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. Several OTC medications can be used to treat migraine attacks. That's one reason why doctors start patients at a low dose and work up to 2.4 mg weekly over four months. For more information, see Interactions above. The problem was that I had migraines. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Topamax is an anti-seizure drug that is used to treat migraines, mood disorders and weight loss. Or go to the nearest emergency room. As with most drugs, Topamax can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Talk with your doctor if you experience cognitive side effects while taking Topamax. Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. In addition, weight and height may be affected in children taking Topamax. You can also visit the Topamax manufacturers website to see if they have support options. Once you stop taking the drug, youll need to wait until its cleared from your body. Its classification is an anticonvulsant. While there are no contraindications for this medication, individuals with certain conditions, such as kidney problems, might need to exercise caution while taking it. Its not fully understood what causes migraine or why it affects certain people. Some rare side effects caused by Topamax may require treatment to make them go away. No, missing a dose of Topamax shouldnt cause side effects. A statistically significant reduction in seizures was recorded for the topiramate treated group for both generalised tonic-clonic ( z =2.68; p<0.007) and complex partial seizures ( z =2.67; p<0.008, table 2 ). Topamax may cause serious side effects including: visual problems, blurred vision, eye pain or redness, sudden vision loss, confusion, However, missing doses may cause you to have symptoms of the condition youre using Topamax to treat. If you can become pregnant, its important to use effective birth control while taking Topamax. Topiramate - How long does it take to work. Gabapentin can help control seizures as well as nerve pain from shingles. Cognitive side effects of Topamax can include: Your risk for cognitive side effects from Topamax increases if you start with a high dose, or your dose is increased quickly. Topamax is known to pass into breast milk. Topamax - Scared to use this medication because of all the side effects? Sharp pains in your side or lower back may signal the onset of a kidney stone. Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question. For this reason, you generally want to avoid medications that focus solely on appetite reduction as a means of weight loss. Before taking Topamax, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. 6.3k views Answered >2 years ago. Topamax also fares well in reducing the anxiety and depression symptoms that often occur during withdrawal. In some cases, such as traumatic brain injury, the cause of seizures is known. You can register by visiting the program website or calling 888-233-2334. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. They can help answer any concerns you have, such as what the dosage for bipolar disorder would be. Find out whats causing frothy saliva and how to, Melatonin can be a successful natural sleep aid. See the section above called Is Topamax used for migraine? to learn more. breast pain difficulty sleeping low energy numbness temporary redness of face and neck nausea nervousness intense abdominal pain slowness of movement INFREQUENT side effects If experienced, these. All rights reserved. My only advice about the drug isto start very slowly and maybe you will not notice how it slows youdown. #3. (Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug.) Drinking alcohol while taking Topamax can increase your risk of certain side effects and increase the chance that theyll be serious. However, it also may cause your metabolism to speed up.In clinical studies, 6-17% of people taking Topamax have experienced weight loss. If youve been on my blog before you know Ive discussed how other medications, such as Wellbutrin, can help with weight loss. (2022). Suddenly stopping treatment can cause withdrawal symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about Topamax, including its side effects, uses, dosages, and more. This has obviously sparked great interest among both patients and Doctors as a potential way to lose weight. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. I'm having a dozen or so legit migraines a month. I go to great lengths to help my users better understand their health; however, the content you see here is not a substitute for medical advice. This is believed to help prevent incorrect signals in your brain that may cause seizures or migraine. No specific side effect really. This medicine will not cure epilepsy and will only work to control seizures for as long as you continue to take it. Topamax may help with weight loss (8) by regulating the appetite center of your brain or your hypothalamus. Topamax may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Some side effects can cause long-term effects if they arent treated, such as increased pressure in your eye. Im personally of the belief that, even though they may work, there are better options available for weight loss. If you have epilepsy or migraine, your doctor may suggest Topamax. This medicine will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. Descriptions Topiramate is used alone or together with other medicines to help treat certain types of seizures (eg, partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome). Two compounds found in the drug, THC and CBD, may have medical. Typically, people experience average weight loss when taking this medication. Higher doses and longer duration of use generally result in more weight loss. In addition, Topamax is used to help prevent migraine in certain people. In some people, this value is mismatched resulting in the consumption of more calories than what your body actually needs. Sweating is the bodys way of cooling down. Hair loss wasnt reported in people who took the medication to help prevent migraine. Symptoms caused by an overdose can include: Topamax overdoses have, in a few extreme cases, led to death. If they have a high temperature or if they sweat less than usual, call their doctor right away. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, help prevent migraine in adults and some children. Talk with your doctor if you have sleepiness thats bothersome to you or doesnt go away. 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. Topamax can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. Most prescription weight loss medications focus on 1 of 3 very important mechanisms to help with weight loss: Each prescription medication works slightly differently from other medications which are why some tend to work better than others. You can read more about my own personal health journey and why I am so passionate about what I do. Stopping Topamax treatment shouldnt cause withdrawal symptoms. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Other medicines that might be prescribed include gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others). If I experience side effects from Topamax, are there different doses I can try. Diarrhea. #4. These problems include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To help reduce this risk, Topamax has a recommended withdrawal timeline. Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include: For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. Here are the recommended dosages of Topamax for treating epilepsy on its own: Here are the recommended dosages of Topamax for treating epilepsy when used with other medications: Whether you take Topamax for migraine or epilepsy, its common for your doctor to adjust your dosage over time. I have been on Topamax for about 12 years now to help control my migraines. For most people, this will be somewhere between 50 to 200mg per day (11). Topamax is not a weight loss drug. I've just begun taking Topamax for migraines I've been having almost daily for 3 years. Side effects have been reported in children who were breastfed, including diarrhea and sleepiness. Talk with your childs doctor, or a pharmacist, if you have questions about Topamaxs side effects in children. For weight loss when taking this medication because of all the side effects have been reported people. Great interest among both patients and doctors as a potential side effect may. 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Suicidal thoughts who took Topamax in clinical trials childs doctor, or treatment that a... Lean meats, and Instagram for up-to-date thyroid tips, tricks, videos, and more registry helps! Less than usual, call 911 or your local emergency number your results just begun taking for! For bipolar disorder, anxiety, or alcoholism, also called alcohol use.... From shingles x27 ; m eating very healthy and exercise for an hour 4x a week: focal-onset primary! Withdrawal timeline on which condition the drug to people with seizure disorders can...