You should not stop treatment unless you first speak with them. Gabapentin can help control seizures as well as nerve pain from shingles. It's also prescribed to prevent certain types of migraine headaches for adults and adolescents age 12 and older. Learn more. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely. (Topamax is an anticonvulsant drug.) For treating epilepsy, Topamax may be prescribed alone or with other drugs. Treatment with Topamax may cause sleepiness as a side effect. I am much happier now with my health than I was thenthanks to Topamax ( I realize that not everyone can take this, or that they have the same results without side effectsI have simply weighed the benefits for myself and a few tingles in my hands and feet, a few words lost is not reason enough for me to have migraines the way I did and suffer constantly! I'm eating very healthy and exercise for an hour 4x a week. I'm Dr. Westin Childs. Stopping the drug suddenly may cause seizures in some people. I've read the warnings about overheating, but trust me, I sweat plenty and I hydrate plenty, I just feel like if I get going on some cardio, I'm going to pass out. This registry helps healthcare professionals collect information about the safety of medications such as Topamax during pregnancy. Stay with the person until professional help arrives. You may notice changes in how you behave, feel, interact with others, and react. For details, see the Is Topamax used for migraine? and Is Topamax used for other conditions? sections below. Also, you should avoid exercising outdoors on a hot day. 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. This usually takes about 5 days. Treat epilepsy * in. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. This medicine will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. These side effects include trouble concentrating or speaking, sleepiness, confusion, and dizziness. Talk with your doctor about the possible risks of taking Topamax if youre pregnant or planning a pregnancy. But because these medications can both interfere with neurotransmitters, using them together should be done very cautiously. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthlines newsletters. What Are Side Effects of Topamax? If you have epilepsy or migraine, your doctor may suggest Topamax. Pay close attention for any changes, especially sudden changes, in your behaviors, feelings, mood, and thoughts. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drugs container. Allergic reaction. Children ages 2 to 9 years may take Topamax once or twice per day. For example, the following side effects were more likely to happen with higher doses (200 mg) of Topamax (compared with 25 mg or 50 mg, for example): For details about side effects in studies, you can see Topamaxs prescribing information. Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so. Its not known whether these effects are strong enough for you to notice or make a difference in how the medications are used. 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. Like all medications, Topamax can cause side effects. Hair loss wasnt reported in people who took the medication to help prevent migraine. Hello Basher, You should be careful to not get overheated when you exercises. 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. These include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rimegepant (Nurtec ODT), and ubrogepant (Ubrelvy). The drug is available in the following forms: If its hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Clear liquid day before surgery. BMD describes how strong the bones are. Although rare, treatment with Topamax can cause a condition called secondary closed-angle glaucoma. But the drug may be used off-label for treating these conditions. Together with a balanced meal plan and exercise, Saxenda has shown to reduce your appetite and cravings for food, make you. Keeping a journal may help you track and notice any changes or patterns. Its characterized by seizures that develop in the presence of musical triggers. It takes away your appetite (at least it did for me). Some of these side effects are mild, while others can be more serious. Its not fully known how Topamax works for treating epilepsy. Topamax can cause shifts or changes in mood, including suicidal thoughts. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Its believed that the drug affects electrical and nerve signals in your brain. You may experience other symptoms with headaches. They may be able to suggest ways to ease your symptoms. Learn more. Bummer for me. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Its important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. Keep in mind that Topamax is approved to treat seizure disorders in adults and some children. Check out my thyroid supplements. I would watch anything that takes coordination until you know how it effects you. Topamax is also used to treat epilepsy in certain people. You may have questions about Topamax and your treatment plan. Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription drug used for several conditions. Primidone (Mysoline) may be effective in people who don't respond to beta blockers. However, its not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. EXIT HESI V4 Study online at 1. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. People taking Topamax often find that it helps them lose weight. Its thought that incorrect electrical and chemical signaling in the brain causes migraine. Migraine is a condition that causes intense headaches. Topamax is an anti-seizure medication that has also been found to be helpful in treating migraines. My only advice about the drug isto start very slowly and maybe you will not notice how it slows youdown. . See what others have said about Topamax (Topiramate), including the effectiveness, ease of use and side effects. While Topamax is not known to interact with Wellbutrin, certain people should not take bupropion. Talk with your doctor for more information. (2022). Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Topamax. Several OTC medications can be used to treat migraine attacks. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. How to Build Your Own Natural Desiccated Thyroid Blend. Other medicines that might be prescribed include gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin, Horizant) and topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others). Its important to note that all anticonvulsant drugs carry a risk of suicidal thoughts. These drugs include: This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Topamax. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Topamax has also been shown to increase fat oxidation in both brown fat tissue as well as skeletal muscle (9). What should I know about alternative drugs for Topamax? Consult a dietitian to help you tailor this range based on your personal needs and goals ( 9 ). But if I have a migraine episode while taking Topamax, are there other medications I can take to treat it? Qsymia is prescribed to help with weight loss in certain adults and children ages 12 and older. 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. 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. Topamax is approved to treat certain types of seizures and prevent migraine headaches. What is Topamax? This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Westin Childs and is for educational and information purposes only. The goal with dosing is to achieve a balance between dose and results. Topamax (an anticonvulsant under additional name Topiramate (generic) and in time release Trokendi XR) . This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. This is believed to help prevent incorrect signals in your brain that may cause seizures or migraine. They can help determine if its safe to use with Topamax. #2. You should not drink alcohol while taking Topamax. The drug can cause side effects such as sleepiness or diarrhea in a breastfed child. Wellbutrin is an antidepressant that can also help with weight loss by increasing your metabolism and reducing your appetite. This was also reported by people taking the drug to treat epilepsy, but it was less common. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. They may lower your Topamax dose. Topamax is known to pass into human breast milk. This list doesnt include all possible mild side effects of the drug. I was on Topamax for seizures and I suffered from several side effects, one of them being decreased sweating and increased body temperature. It can be hard to tell if this side effect is due to Topamax, the condition being treated, or both. Topamax takes time to leave your body, so there isnt a way to flush it out of your system. Having diarrhea while taking Topamax can increase your risk of metabolic acidosis. Phentermine and topiramate is a combination medicine used together with diet and exercise to treat obesity. Warnings Topamax may cause vision problems that can be permanent if not treated quickly. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being used to treat. I also happen to formulate the best supplements on the market (well, at least in my opinion!) More common side effects in people taking Topamax for epilepsy include: More common side effects in people taking Topamax to prevent migraine headaches include: * For more information about this side effect, see Side effect specifics below. This has obviously sparked great interest among both patients and Doctors as a potential way to lose weight. Be sure to talk with them about your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. It wouldn't surprise me that it is decreasing your endurance. Stopping Topamax treatment shouldnt cause withdrawal symptoms. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Talk with your doctor if you want to stop taking Topamax. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Natural Treatments for Epilepsy: Do They Work? These symptoms may be tolerable for some people, but for others, such as those who need a sharp mind for work, it may not be acceptable. For example, they may suggest changing your dose. Plus a lot of "maybe this is going to be a migraine" tingles and visual "wrinkles" (perhaps you know what I'm talking about). Before taking Topamax, there are important considerations to discuss with your doctor. Its possible to have weight loss from taking Topamax. Common complaints include gas, bloating, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. Serious side effects of Topamax that have been reported include: Learn more about some of the side effects Topamax may cause. 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. It also feels as if you are totally out of shape and cannot take even one deep breath for several minutes. 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. Topiramate is also the generic version of Topamax. Try these natural remedies that might help get you back on your feet faster. Ketogenic diet. Following a ketogenic (keto) diet can increase acid levels in your blood. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Changes in taste was a common side effect reported by people who took Topamax for preventing migraine headaches in clinical trials. Topamax (topiramate) is an anticonvulsant, meaning it's used to prevent seizures for people who have epilepsy and related disorders. It's an anticonvulsant medication that's used to treat conditions like epilepsy, migraine headaches, and alcohol use disorder. Schizophrenia: Researchers say network disruptions in the brain may be a factor, Schizophrenia: How blood vessel growth in the brain may be a factor, Why adults in rural areas face higher risk of heart failure, Trokendi XR side effects: What you should know, feelings of burning or numbness in your hands and feet, producing less sweat than usual, especially in hot weather. I now work about 55 hours per week and travel for my company (that is why I am so scarce around this placeSorry!) I really think it is more than that. treat epilepsy (a disorder that causes seizures) in adults and some children with: capsules that you may swallow whole, or open and sprinkle on soft food to swallow, eye-related side effects, including vision changes, vision loss, and, reduced bone strength and decreased growth, in children taking the drug. Having reduced BMD could indicate that you have weakened bones. Your metabolism can become damaged as a result of dieting and other factors. Your doctor can help determine whether treatment with Topamax is safe for you if you have liver problems. Topamax will not treat a migraine headache once it occurs. 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. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. To help make sure that you dont miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. 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