* Generic Name: topiramate
* Brand Name: Topamax
* What is topiramate?
* What are the possible side effects of topiramate?
* What is the most important information I should know about
topiramate?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
topiramate?
* How should I take topiramate?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking topiramate?
* What other drugs will affect topiramate?
* Where can I get more information?
What is topiramate?
Topiramate is a seizure medicine, also called an
anticonvulsant. Topiramate is used to treat seizures in adults and
children who are at least 2 years old. Trokendi XR is for use in adults
and children who are at least 6 years old.
Extended-release topiramate has a higher minimum age (at least 10 years
old) when used as the child's only seizure medicine.
Some brands of topiramate are also used to prevent migraine
headaches in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years old. These
medicines will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of
attacks, but will not treat a headache that has already begun.
Topiramate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of topiramate?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Report any new or worsening mood symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood
or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or
if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive,
restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* vision problems, eye pain or redness, sudden vision loss
(can be permanent if not treated quickly);
* confusion, problems with thinking or memory, trouble
concentrating, problems with speech;
* dehydration symptoms--decreased sweating, high fever, hot and dry
skin;
* signs of a kidney stone--severe pain in your side or lower back,
painful or difficult urination;
* signs of too much acid in your blood--irregular heartbeats, feeling
tired, loss of appetite, trouble thinking, feeling short of
breath; or
* signs of too much ammonia in your blood--vomiting, unexplained
weakness, feeling like you might pass out.
Common side effects may include:
* fever, weight loss;
* numbness or tingling in your arms and legs;
* flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
* headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling, slow reactions;
* mood problems, feeling nervous;
* nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, indigestion;
* cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore
throat; or
* changes in your sense of taste.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about topiramate?
Topiramate may cause vision problems that can be permanent if not
treated quickly. Call your doctor right away if you have a sudden
decrease in vision.
Topiramate can decrease sweating and may cause life-threatening
dehydration (especially in children). Avoid becoming overheated or
dehydrated. Tell your doctor if you have decreased sweating, high
fever, and hot dry skin.
Do not take Trokendi XR within 6 hours of drinking alcohol.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medicine.
Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or
worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Do not stop using topiramate suddenly or you could have increased
seizures.
Topamax Patient Information including How Should I Take
Epilepsy:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment
Epilepsy Slideshow
RxList
Brain Disorders Image Collection
RxList
Take the Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) Quiz
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking topiramate?
You should not use topiramate if you are allergic to it. Do not take
Trokendi XR within 6 hours before or 6 hours after drinking alcohol.
You should not use extended-release topiramate if you have metabolic
acidosis (high levels of acid in your blood) and are also taking
metformin for diabetes.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
* glaucoma or other eye problems;
* diabetes, or metabolic acidosis;
* kidney disease, kidney stones, or dialysis;
* severe breathing problems;
* mood problems, depression, or suicidal thoughts or actions;
* liver disease;
* soft or brittle bones (osteoporosis, osteomalacia);
* a growth disorder; or
* if you are sick with diarrhea.
Topiramate can increase the level of acid in your blood (metabolic
acidosis). This can weaken your bones, cause kidney stones, or cause
growth problems in children or harm to an unborn baby. You may need
blood tests to make sure you do not have metabolic acidosis, especially
if you are pregnant.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking an anticonvulsant.
Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family
or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or
symptoms.
Do not start or stop taking topiramate during pregnancy without your
doctor's advice. Topiramate may increase the risk of low birth weight
and cleft lip and/or cleft palate in a newborn. There may be
other seizure medicine that can be more safely used during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Topiramate can make birth control pills less effective. Use a barrier
form of birth control (such as a condom or diaphragm with
spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking topiramate.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this
medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
How should I take topiramate?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally
change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Topiramate can be taken with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. The
Trokendi XR extended-release capsule must be swallowed whole. Do not
break or open.
If you cannot swallow a Qudexy XR or Topamax Sprinkle Capsule whole,
open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce or
other soft food. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not
save it for later use.
Carefully follow the swallowing instructions for your medicine.
If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has
any changes in weight. Topiramate doses are based on weight in
children, and any changes may affect your child's dose.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking topiramate, to prevent
kidney stones or an electrolyte imbalance.
You will need frequent medical tests. If you need surgery, tell the
surgeon ahead of time that you are using topiramate. Any medical
care provider who treats you should know that you take seizure
medication.
Do not stop using topiramate suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping
suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor's
instructions about tapering your dose.
Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often
while taking topiramate.
Store at cool room temperature away from moisture, light, and high
heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Topamax Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Epilepsy:Symptoms, Stages and Treatment
Epilepsy Slideshow
RxList
Brain Disorders Image Collection
RxList
Take the Epilepsy (Seizure Disorder) Quiz
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if you
are more than 6 hours late for the dose. Do not take two doses at one
time.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss two or more doses.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, agitation, depression,
double vision, thinking problems, problems with speech or
coordination, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking topiramate?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or increased seizures may
occur.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated in hot weather. Topiramate can
decrease sweating and increase body temperature, leading to
life-threatening dehydration (especially in children).
Ketogenic or "ketosis" diets that are high in fat and low in
carbohydrates can increase the risk of kidney stones. Avoid the use
of such diets while you are taking topiramate.
Topiramate may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or
reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this
medicine will affect you.
Also avoid activities that could be dangerous if you have an unexpected
seizure, such as swimming or climbing in high places.
What other drugs will affect topiramate?
Using topiramate with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this
effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping
pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or depression.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
* lithium;
* metformin;
* birth control pills;
* glaucoma medication; or
* other seizure medicines--carbamazepine, divalproex sodium,
phenytoin, valproic acid, or zonisamide.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect topiramate, including
prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal
products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about topiramate.
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