GENERIC NAME(S)— Topiramate
MOLECULAR FORMULA— C12H21NO8S
DRUG CLASS— Anticonvulsants
BRAND NAMES(s)— Topamax, Topamax Sprinkle, Qudexy XR, Topiragen, Trokendi XR
What is Topamax?
Topamax (Topiramate) is a medication used to treat seizures or epilepsy. It is also used to prevent migraine headaches. Topiramate belongs to a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It is taken by mouth. [Trusted Source 1]
Topiramate Dosage:
Take Topiramate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions described on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in smaller or larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
The usual dose of Topamax for adults is 200 mg twice a day. [Trusted Source 2]
Topamax can be taken with or without food.
Interactions:
Tell your doctor about all medications that you are currently taking. Some drugs may interact with Topamax; including [Trusted Source 3] [Trusted Source 2] [Trusted Source 4] [Trusted Source 5]—
- Acetazolamide (Diamox)
- Methazolamide (Neptazane)
- Dichlorphenamide (Daranide)
- Some vitamins
- Enzyme inducers such as Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Contraceptives or birth control pills
- Some herbal products
- Other seizure medications— divalproex (Depakote) or valproic acid (Depakene)
- Antimuscarinic drugs such as Trospium
- Alcohol also may increase sedation or drowsiness, and increase the risk of seizure
Ask your doctor before taking opioid pain medication, a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or depression.
Topiramate Side Effects:
Topiramate may cause many side effects. Tell your doctor or health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away; including [Trusted Source 5] [Trusted Source 4] [Trusted Source 6] —
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Dry mouth
- Nosebleed
- Teary or dry eyes
- Back, muscle, leg, or bone pain
- Slowed reactions
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Uncontrollable eye movements
- Change in ability to taste food
- Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Missed menstrual periods
- Excessive menstrual bleeding
- Numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
Some side effects can be serious. Call your doctor at once if you experience any of the following symptoms [Trusted Source 5] —
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision
- Double vision
- Eye pain
- Eye redness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble breathing
- Worsening of seizures
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- Constant need to urinate
- Difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
- Fever or other signs of infection
- Memory problems
- Loss of coordination
- Pounding or irregular heartbeat
- Fast, shallow breathing
- Feeling cold, chills, or low body temperature
- Excessive tiredness
- Intense back or side pain
- Bloody, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
- Inability to respond to things around you
- Speech problems, especially difficulty thinking of specific words
The medication may also cause osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. There is also a possibility that this medicine may slow the growth of children. Ask your doctor for more details.
Precautions:
Before taking Topiramate medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or if you have a history of any other allergy.
Tell your doctor or health care provider if you have ever had a history of [Trusted Source 4] —
- Kidney problems such as kidney stone
- Liver problems
- Lung disease
- Breathing problems
- Glaucoma or other eye problems
- Diabetes
- Long—term Diarrhea
- Mood problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts or actions
- A certain metabolic imbalance or metabolic acidosis
- Soft or brittle bones such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia
- A growth disorder
- Ketogenic diet or a diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates
It is not recommended to take Topiramate medicine during pregnancy. It may harm an unborn baby. Ask your doctor before taking this medication if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
This medication passes into the breast milk and may cause many unwanted side effects on a nursing infant. Tell your doctor if you’re breast—feeding.
What are the Symptoms of Topiramate Overdose?
Topiramate overdose symptoms may include [Trusted Source 5] [Trusted Source 4] [Trusted Source 7] —
- Seizures
- Drowsiness
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Speech problems
- Trouble thinking
- Tiredness
- Loss of coordination
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Fast, shallow breathing
- Pounding or irregular heartbeat
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if you are almost more than six hours late. Do not take extra drug to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1—800—222—1222.
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