Topiramate (Topamax) - An Anticonvulsant With Risks
This article is the third installment of a series I’m writing on the various seizure medications out there. The previous posts have been about Depakote and Keppra, but this post is a little bit different because I don’t have personal experience with the medication in question… topiramate.
So, although I’ve done a lot of research on it, I don’t have a personal story to include in this post. Only the facts that I’ve learned from others! Don’t worry though, I always post my sources at the end of each article. Since I want you guys to know that you’re reading accurate and factual information whilst on this blog.
But with that out of the way, let’s discuss topiramate.
What is topiramate?
In short, topiramate is a medication that’s meant to calm overactive nerves within the body. It’s mainly used to treat epilepsy, but sometimes it’s prescribed to people who suffer with migraines as well.
And it’s important to note that topiramate is the generic name for this medicine! So, specifically if you live in the US, you probably know it by its brand name… Topamax. Since generic topiramate isn’t even available in the United States.
Which types of seizures is topiramate used to treat?
According to research, topiramate seems to work the best on the following types of seizures…
Focal impaired awareness or complex partial seizures
Focal aware onset seizures
Tonic clonic seizures
And seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
What doses does Topamax come in?
Different brands of topiramate will have different pills of course. But if we’re talking about Topamax specifically… then the doses can come in the following forms:
15 mg capsules
25 mg capsules
25 mg tablets
50 mg tablets
100 mg tablets
200 mg tablets
What is the typical dosage for topiramate?
In terms of the typical dosage that’s prescribed for this medication, it depends on a few variables. Including how old the patient is, and whether or not the topiramate is being used with other medications as well.
But in general, the dose starts out somewhere between 25-50 mg per day and may be raised if control of the seizures isn’t achieved. However, the dose usually never goes above 400 mg per day in any scenario.
Is topiramate effective?
When it comes to epilepsy, there’s no “one size fits all” treatments out there. So topiramate obviously won’t work for everyone that tries it!
But many people have found this medication helpful. Some have been able to control their seizures completely with topiramate, and others have found that it works well with other medications they’re taking.
So unfortunately… The only real way to know if it will be effective for you is to talk to your doctor about it, and potentially test it out for yourself.
Who should be extra cautious about using topiramate?
We’re going to get into some of the symptoms associated with topiramate in a moment. But first I do want to cover some things that (if you experience them) you should cover with your doctor before starting the medication, as they could lead to negative effects if mixed with this medicine.
So, make sure that if any of the following things apply to you, you mention it to your doc before considering topiramate!
You’re attempting to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding
You struggle with suicidal thoughts
You have allergies
You have a bleeding disorder
You’re taking other medications
You have lung disease
Or you have kidney disease
What are the side effects of topiramate?
As with all anticonvulsant medications, topiramate can come with side effects. Side effects which can range from mild to severe!
Common Side Effects -
Some common/mild side effects associated with topiramate are as follows…
Dizziness
Drowsiness, fatigue, and even slowed reaction times
A loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, and weight loss
Impaired speech, memory, or vision
Feelings of nervousness
Numbness, tingling, a lack of sensation, or potentially even burning pain in your limbs
Cold-like symptoms; such as a loss of taste, a fever, a stuffy nose, a sore throat, and/or sneezing!
Serious Side Effects -
And more severe side effects (which you should contact your doctor about if you have) may include…
A skin rash
Changes in your menstrual bleeding
A lack of sweat and/or feeling extremely hot
Feeling very cold
Being dizzy or experiencing a loss of coordination
Feeling very tired or confused
Having issues thinking, concentrating, communicating, or remembering things
Having eye pain, redness in the eye, blurred vision, vision loss, or seeing halos around lights (vision loss can be permanent without proper treatment)
Experiencing a pain in your side or lower back, having issues urinating, or seeing blood in your urine (this could be a kidney stone)
Feeling tired and confused, vomiting, and have irregular heartbeats (you could be experiencing metabolic acidosis)
Or being weak, vomiting, experiencing a shift in your mental state, and feeling as though you might pass out (this could mean you have high levels of ammonia in your blood)!
Conclusion
Topiramate can be a massive help to people with certain types of seizures, and many people don’t even experience the negative side effects that the medication can bring on. But like anything else, it comes with risks.
On the less severe side, you could just experience uncomfortable symptoms. However, in the worst scenarios, you could develop seriously debilitating symptoms and even lose your sight! So if you do decide that you want to test this medication out for yourself, please be sure to talk everything through with your doctor first. AND keep an eye out for any concerning symptoms like the ones I listed above.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/topiramate-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20067047
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20648-topiramate-tablets
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14494-6019/topamax-oral/topiramate-oral/details
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/topiramate.html
https://www.epilepsy.com/tools-resources/seizure-medication-list/topiramate
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