TOPAMAX Reviews (TOPIRAMATE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (1824 Ratings)

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 ANTICONVULSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

TOPAMAX  (TOPIRAMATE):  Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures (epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and decrease how often you get them. Topiramate will not treat a migraine headache once it occurs. If you get a migraine headache, treat it as directed by your doctor (such as by taking pain medication, lying down in a dark room). Topiramate is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.   FDA Approval Date: 1996-12-24 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken longest to shortest.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR TOPAMAXCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  SEIZURES SOMETIMES BEING COLD,WEIGHT LOSS. BEST MED OUT THERE. F 46 25 years
400 MILLIG
3/8/2019
 5   No Side Effects Love Topamax. It's been a lifesaver for me. F 76 25 years
200/4xday 4X day
3/18/2022
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 1  Migraines numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet slowed reactions nervousness headache drowsiness weakness uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body uncontrollable eye movements weight loss constipation brain not signaling your body to do something change in ability to taste food dry mouth teary or dry eyes back, muscle, leg, or bone pain missed menstrual period blurred vision loss of vision double vision feeling cold, chills, or low body temperature difficulty concentrating speech problems, especially difficulty thinking of specific words word recall confusion memory problems loss of coordination pounding or irregular heartbeat chest pain shortness of breath trouble breathing fast, shallow breathing inability to respond to things around you excessive tiredness diarrhea nausea vomiting stomach pain loss of appetite intense back or side pain cloudy, or foul-smelling urine sexual dysfunction major Cognitive issues organizing thoughts what order to do things in I've told numerous doctors that my current symptoms are caused from 25 years of taking Topamax 200mg a day as a preventive for migraines . Not one Doctor listened to me that Topamax caused all this to my body. I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at age 19 and chronic migraines , Today Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, ADHD, Depression and Anxiety , Sinusitis , Chronic IBS, and many others issues I'm grateful it could be a lot worse . sensitivity to environmental noise, smells ,light Ringing in ears ,changes in vision depth perception F 50 25 years
200 MG 1X day
6/12/2021
 5  Chronic Daily Migraine Tingling in hands, weight loss of 10lbs, daytime sleepiness, improved mood. The tingling and sleepiness resolved after about 6mo-1yr. I still get headaches but this medication reduced the frequency and severity by about half and the side-effects weren't terrible. F 34 16 years
100 mg 1X day
1/9/2020
 5  migraine prevention Initially I had numbness to my lips and strange areas like my heels and different parts of arms and hands. I had a little trouble finding words, but very gradually increased my dose and the side effects disappeared within a month. I had migraines five days a week which were crippling before Topamax. I started on 25 mg once a day and worked my way up to 200mg twice a day. In addition to supplements, I now have migraines maybe twice a month, which are easily controlled with Imitrex and Fioricet. I never could have said that before. Topamax has saved my life and let me live again. F 46 15 years
200 mg 2X day
5/3/2018
 2  seizures slurred speech, discoulred/blurred vision, poor memory/recall, aching eyes, sore throat I started on topirimate in about 1996/7 when it was brand new, I went up to 400 a day along with 3 other drugs, which changed with time and am now on 200 plus leveciteram 400 mg. Its hard to say what causes what for sure, but you can eleminate with a lot of reading and checking. Top didnt stop my seizures at all, and that is why the others were tried, keppra slowed them down. I had mood problems at first with top, angry, impulsive thoughts , aggresive etc, also hallucinations, saw ghosts etc,(but maybe they were seizures). Then that passed, and long term, cognitive impairment has been the main problem, I have studied been back to college at 30 and got certificates done open uni etc, but I could have done a lot more, and been a differnt person i think. Now my speech is starting to slur, my eyes are blurred, I get lost and forget anything, im not sure if I come off these tablets I will get smart and funny ! I have been on meds since I was 14, I knew the whole guiness book of records, then a few months later, sleeping all day, all evening, depressed ! Doctors will allways tell you that you prob dont have the side affects, and your family will too strangly ! They all have their reasons I guess. M 44 15 years
100 2X day
1/1/2012
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 5  Bipolar Disorder Initially, a little foggy, jitters, light tremors, dry mouth, blurry vision I take generic Topirimate now, after taking Topamax for 7 years. Very glad to get this med because all of the other meds had so many crippling side effects. I have virtually no side effects with this drug, unless I miss a dose for several days and need to start over. It is a great mood stabilizer without the weight gain that is common in this type of med. I was able to halt the rapid personality changes from all of the other meds we were testing to find a good fit. This drug was an add-on to another drug that caused severe akathesia (sp?). The other drug was discontinued and topamax came out the mild winner. It is expensive, but necessary. F 55 14 years
400 mg 1X day
1/6/2018
 5  Migraines Some tiredness and irritability, lightheadedness, slurred speech initially when I started the medication, but after a few months those symptoms disappeared. My mind always tended to race and I had difficulty concentrating prior to starting medication, thus medication did help improve my ability to focus, prior to starting Topamax I suffered from migraine headaches almost on a daily basis. If caught early I was able to take another medication called Imitrex, but this only worked on migraines in the early stages. Often I would wake up with a full blown migraine with the sensitivity to light, noise, frequenly vomiting and feeling like my head was going to explode! The Topamax prevents the migraines from getting that bad. Occasionally I have a breakthrough migraine. This only occurs maybe twice a month. I guess I got lucky, I could not function before taking Topamax. It was a lifesaver for me. F 47 13 years
100 mg 2X day
6/29/2011
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 3  Mood Stabilizer, Depression Insomnia, word loss, constipation, comatose-like-state, loss of hair, aged skin, bruising, gastritis, bouts of diarrhea, intermittent twitching under left eye, mental processes slowed Started Topamax at 47 with other meds (Effexor 300 mg, Dextroamphetamine 30 mg)- 300 mgs – 1 pill/a.m. & 2 pills/p.m. Sfx (eg. word loss, constipation) minimal until abt 57, [finished menopause]. Symp suddenly ↑ in # & intensity (see sfx box). Saw docs, but all, incl shrink, said I was getting older. Thyroid/hormone tested. Blood & saliva = neg, excp my ratio of testos to estr was off. Forced to quit job, & spent days in bed, unable to move. Due to ↑ insomnia, given Temazepan (30 mgs). By 2011, sleep ↓, & presc Trazodone to add to Tmzpn, 150 mgs/night. Soon ↓ to 50 mgs/night. Now taking 25 mgs/night. As docs seemed uncurious, began researching causes. Found this site & read of others in same boat. Found good psychotherapeutic help. End of 2011, I decided had to get off Top. Began ↓ by 25 mgs/2-3 wks using pill-cutter. Temp ↑ Dex by 15 mgs. Took last Top Apr 16 2012 & stopped extra Dex. Big difference! Energy still low but most days. No longer feel drugged, able to leave apt for short distances & I’m more lively. Hope hair regrows. Still stomach problems [not as bad, hoping will resolve. Wonder if age or menopausal state changed body’s ability to handle meds –producing sfx. Wish docs had been more knowledgeable of sfx, so would not have had to suffer so long for no reason. F 61 13 years
300 MG 1X O
4/21/2012
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 2  Migraines Memory loss, not as articulate as I used to be, have a hard time forming thoughts, get depressed often While I am still on this medicine I would not reccomend this to people if there are alternatives. I have been on it for a long time and I truly believe your body builds up an immunity towards any medicine. I still have frequent headaches and migraines, but the reason I am still on this med is because while I stil have the pain, it dulls it enough so I can continue to work and live. F 27 13 years
50 mg 2X day
6/25/2012
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 5  Epilepsy Initially, soda tasted disgusting. From time to time, I still get the pins and needles feelings in my feet. I am still waiting on the weight loss everyone else gets to experience..lol. I haven't ever really experienced the "dopamax" effect many people talk about. when I was first diagnosed, I was put on Dilantin. I hated the blood tests. It also did not completely keep my absence seizures at bay. I was placed on depakote which made me vomit in technicolors. Carbatrol made me a zombie. Topamax was the wonder drug. With provigil as a morning chaser to ward off sleep deprivation seizures, I am a happy camper! F 39 12 years
150 mg 2X day
10/30/2011
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 5  Epilepsy Cognitive dysfunction. Occasional periods of pain in left side of head and behind left eye. Back and other arthritic pain. Some loss of taste. Extreme mood changes. Stomach and bowel problems. Loss of coordination. I had seizures for twenty three years on a daily basis for which doctors were unable to find a medicine or surgery to control them. After a year of being on Topamax, I was finally for the first time since diagnosis of Epilepsy seizure free. I eventually became able to drive, attend college classes and even work. I admit the side effects may sometimes be frustrating, but to me they are nothing compared to what I gain!!! F 44 12 years
100mg 2X day
12/22/2010
 5  Seizures When I first started taking it I had sharp tingles in fingers/toes and numbness around my lips, early on I also had strong memory loss, word recall issues, severe weight loss, and weird pains and hair loss. I started it in 1997 at 450mg/day- slow increase. I now have no side effects due to taking potassium supplements, vitamins and also drinking a lot of water. Even my memory and word recall are back to 'nearly' pre-topamax levels. I had to work at that though through brain activities. Topamax was started after failing mutiple anti-seizure medications. It was the first drug to stop my grand-mal seizures so I found it to be a miracle drug despite its numerous side effects. I found that I could get rid of the side effects with some research-- potassium supplements, increased vitamins, ensure shakes for weight, lots of water, brain exercises for memory and word-recall... I'm happy to say that along with my other seizure medications I've remained (almost) seizure free and nearly side-effect free also for a long time. Topamax has kept me entirely grand mal free since 1997. I only have partials now which I'm still trying other medications to get under control. F 31 12 years
1/15/2010
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 5  Migraines Fatigue, brain fog, lack of motivation, word finding issues - all diminished with time and I was able to go down in dosage when needed if I had a large project that involved numbers and return to higher dose as needed. I want to offer a word of encouragement for those who are trying to decide if they should take a pharmaceutical product, try natural approaches, or just give up. I was diagnosed over 40 years ago with migraines and I've been on everything out there - Inderal, Midrin, different diets, adding salt, Caffergot, BCP, Maxalt, Imitrex, the list goes on... In 2009 my doctor suggested I try Topamax and though it doesn't have the perfect side effect profile, it changed my life. Before Topamax I always had to have a plan b for what I would do if I got a migraine. Since Topamax I can just live life. The more I learn about the migraine brain and the nerves that cause the pain, the more I believe I do need the treatment of Topamax. Start low and go slow. I take 50 at night and I sleep solidly and wake up usually without my alarm. Initially had a little weight loss, but that went away. Diet Pepsi tastes weird, but that's a small price to pay for a migraine-free life! F 48 11 years
50 mg 1X day
11/22/2020
 5  bipolar disorder some memory loss, tingling, weight loss, This has been a miracle drug for me. I was first diagnosed with Bipolar 2 about 17 years ago and went thru a number of meds that did not work. Topamax did. It was seriously, a life saver. F 47 10 years
100 MG
6/15/2015
 5  Migraines Numbness and tingling in hands and feet, weight loss, taste changes, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness There are side effects to every drug you take. For me personally, the benefit outweighs the side effect. I have migraines often enough and severe enough that it began to affect my life and my job. It is your responsibility to educate yourself before taking medication. Read the printout the pharmacy gives you! Ask questions at your doctors office! Research online! Don't blame other people when we have so many resources a available! F 33 10 years
200 mg 1X day
2/9/2011
 5  Migraines I have had no side affect that I am aware of. I have been migrane free for 10 years now and I used to get them several times a month. Topamax had changed my life. F 49 10 years
100mg 2X day
8/23/2012
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 5  PGTC Seizures extreme weight loss to point of hospital- now stabilized at below average but healthy, got the 'stupids, painful tingles, 'light chasers', irritable, increased want for sex, sad more than usual, stopped sweating, soda taste yechy, food taste different and sounds gross, hyper. Potassium dropped to dangerous- hospitalized twice. hairloss. break out on face and chest. (zits not rash). Dose= 250mg twice a day. total = 500mg Topamax took away my gran mals/tonic clonic seizures for the first time in 10 years. WOW. wonder drug! I was amazed. AND after figuring out that I needed potassium supplements, lots of water, B comlex vitamens in high doses, selenium and bioten - the side effects started to dissapear. Now I no longer get any of the side effects listed above, including the soda taste that everyone on topamax gets. My brain is clearer (although not as clear as before topamax), memory improved, weight a little bit better, potassium back to normal, face cleared up 100%, hair back to shiny soft and full, I feel happy again- and the 'big' seizures are still gone. I am very happy with this drug. very very happy. I also take dilantin and lamictal for my partial seizures and tizanidine for my dystonia. I have a VNS in but am soon to get it removed due to it not working. (partials are still uncontrolled) I love topamax. I started topamax right after approval in 1996 F 28 10 years
11/10/2006
 4  epilepsy & migraines Kidney stones ,take stone free vitamin F 56 10 years
500 mg
4/2/2012
 4  bulemia and bipolar II tingling in hands and arms, loss of short term memory an sense of direction, some hair loss, b12 deficiency(also because I am a vegan) overall, I feel the drug has helped me with my bulimia tremendously. I would never come off of it. I am in the process of lowering it to 200mg just bc of the memory loss. I do need to keep it at the 200mg level to maintain NOT binging and purging. In the past when i dropped to 100mg i went right back to destructive behavior of binging and purging and my bi-polar mood swings. I would rather suffer with some memory loss and direction loss than that.****OH TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOSING YOUR HAIR BUY VITAMIN H AKA- BIOTIN. IT WILL RESTORE YOUR HAIR. ALL SEIZURE MEDS AS WELL AS ANTIBIOTICS CAN MAKE ONE'S HAIR FALL OUT OVER TIME. THE VITATIM H IN BIOTIN WILL RESTORE IT. I USE IT AND IT WORKS. I AM A WOMAN WITH LONG HAIR AND I AM 34. JUST GOOGLE IT AND YOU WILL SEE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL. <3 F 34 10 years
150mg 2X day
5/4/2010
  

TOPAMAX  (TOPIRAMATE):  Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures (epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and decrease how often you get them. Topiramate will not treat a migraine headache once it occurs. If you get a migraine headache, treat it as directed by your doctor (such as by taking pain medication, lying down in a dark room). Topiramate is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.   FDA Approval Date: 1996-12-24 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

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