TOPAMAX Reviews (TOPIRAMATE)Average Rating: 3.0 (1824 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare TOPAMAX with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Gender with females listed first (reviews with no gender reported listed before females). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 |
More on TOPAMAX: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR TOPAMAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Bipolar | Experienced tingling in extremities only when dosages were increased. The only time I ever felt like an "idiot" was the very first day I started on Topamax, other than that I have been fine. Soda and anything with sugar tastes disgusting. Weightloss has also been a side effect. | This drug has been a miracle for me. I have suffered with bipolar depression for years and have had a hard time with medications and side effects, topamax surprisingly has been a godsend for me, and my family too for that matter- I guess everyones body is different and reacts differently- I haven't lost my hair, I have lost weight, I feel good and no longer suffer any side effects of the drug. | F | 33 | 6 months 100 mg 2X day | 9/3/2010 | 5 | migraine | Some numbness/tingling in my feet, occasional word loss | This drug has ended my migraines completely. I went from daily headaches and missing work one day a week to no headaches at all. Topamax also has vastly improved my ability to sleep, which has improved my life and made my prescription for Ambien irrelevant. The side effects are minimal and not bothersome. Would love to see the weight loss but have not, at least not yet. The prospect of kidney stones is worrisome, so I try to drink a lot of water. If your doctor suggests this drug, try it. If it works for you, great; if it doesn't, you can go off it. | F | 41 | 6 weeks 100 mg 1X day | 9/3/2010 | 5 | migraine relief | I have experienced lack of appetite, tingling in hands and feet, and cognitive dysfunction/fogginess. I have had a problem with "word finding". | I have had migraines for years with little relief from medication. After a two week migraine in May that had me took me on a brief trip to the ER, I went on Topamax. I'm a fairly articulate and well spoken person so I was EXTREMELY concerned about the cognitive side effects of this medication. While I have noticed it myself, my family and friends say they have not. I was originally very concerned that it was affect my job and my ability to speak, but it hasn't. It's the word finding that I find utterly confusing. I will know the word I am trying to say, but it just won't come out. This medication has all but stopped my migraines. I still have menstrual related migraines, but I have gone down from 7-10 debilitating migraines a month to 1 or 2. After a brief follow up with my neuro, I am dropping my dose to 75mg to see if it keeps the headaches at bay and possibly helps the cognitive impairment I am sure is there. A lot of people almost scared me off this medication, but I was determined to give it a try. Do not let another person's experience change your mind about trying this. Everyone will be different. | F | 29 | 4 months 100mg 1X day | 10/7/2010 | 5 | Severe migraines | At first, a TON of side effects...OMG--carbonated drinks tasted awful, severe cognitive impairment!!! Virtually no word recall when speaking or even reading from a book. I would even have a hard time pronouncing words. I am a teacher and it was very frustrating trying to read and teach and speak to parents, etc....Memory loss....sometimes I would make a wrong turn on a route that I would drive everyday. This medication is called "Dopamax" for a reason. I wasn't overweight, but I feel like this medication has kept my weight stable (low) and allowed me to indulge a little more and exercise less (none)..LOL. If you are not overweight, don't expect a weight loss. | Even with the side effects, I LOVE this medication. As you can see, I have been on it for three years and plan on staying on it for the rest of my life. I had debilitating migraines that lasted days. I am a teacher and would crawl under my desk in my office until a substitute was called and then would be out for a day or so afterwards....they were that bad. I had the traditional aura and then exactly 20 minutes later pain and nausea that lasted for 8-10 hours. Then I would feel like my head was in a vice for 2 days afterwards. I have had two migraines in three years when I was having 1 a week on average, sometimes less, sometimes more. I tried 3 different migraine medications and they did nothing. | F | 38 | 3 years 50 mg 2X day | 10/18/2010 | 5 | mood stabilizer | a bit of forgetfulness | My doctor desribed me as "soft bipolar". Or I would describe myself as a high functioning depressed person that becomes agitated sometimes. Topamax has really smoothed out my moods. My only complaint would be that I feel a bit dulled. My best friend noticed this too, that I'm not as witty or sharp. But my boyfriend finds me a lot easier to live with. No negative physical side effects at all--maybe because I do split my dose up to 3x a day. Also, I lost no weight. I did not want to, but I see a lot of people want to use this for a diet drug aand it may not happen for you. | F | 29 | 1 years 50 3X day | 10/21/2010 | 5 | Migraines | weight loss 10 lbs, improved sleeping, better mood. At original higher dose, experienced tingling arms and legs, difficulty finding words, periods of deep sadness, nightmares about dying. | At age 46 I had my first MAJOR migraine, with vomiting and sharp pain that lasted 10 hours. Then the migraines started coming once a week. After trying several other meds unsuccessfully, Topamax STOPPED them completely. It was such a relief to me and my husband and kids! My original dose was 50mg 2x/day, which I did for a year. At that dose I had some negative side effects. After one really terrifying nightmare, I decided to try cutting my dose in half to see if the headaches stayed away. It worked! The bad side effects -sadness, trouble finding words, nightmares have gone. Everyone's body chemistry is different. For me, this drug has given me my life back, (allowing me to hold a job) where before I would have to miss a day of work a week. Also, I can be the best wife and mom for my family. | F | 49 | 3 years 25 2X day | 10/20/2010 | 5 | Migraines | Soda tastes Awful, which is a good thing; very thirsty all the time; more flaky in the mind at times, but more level-headed, if that makes sense; numbness and tingling in hands and feet at times; very tired in the beginning, but not so much anymore; no weight loss for me :o( | Topamax saved me! My migraines were debilitating, causing me to be a lesser person (went from 12-15 per month to 2-3 per month). I think that some side effects are better than having migraines on a regular basis. Yes, I am more forgetful now and even feel somewhat foolish at times, but nothing could ever compare to the constant time I spent lying on the couch, popping pills with no avail. I can now be a great mom and feel alive and pain free 98% of the time! Life is too short to suffer. I can't even imagine my life without Topamax and wish I would've known about it many years sooner! | F | 40 | 6 months 50mg 1X day | 11/29/2010 | 5 | migraine headaches | slight hair loss, difficulty finding words, vivid dreams, waking up in the night, and severe tingling in face when I drink caffeine | I was having migraines DAILY, and Topamax completely got rid of them. Any side effects are worth the pain being gone. Being a high school student in all advanced placement classes and millions of extra-curricular activities is hard enough without constant pain. I am extremely grateful to Topamax for helping me. | F | 16 | 6 months 25 MG 2X day | 12/1/2010 | 5 | Eating Disorder | Weight loss. Increased appetite. COMPLETELY GOT RID OF THOUGHTS OF PURGING AND MAKING MYSELF THROWUP. | Wonderful drug. If you have an eating disorder (bulimia) or purging this is a cure. It gets rid of the thoughts of making yourself throw up. | F | 18 | 3 months 50mg 1X day | 12/11/2010 | 5 | Migraine | First 5 days: Very foggy head, slow and dopey, heavy body. Tingly fingers, thick feeling extremities, tingly feet. Basically felt very doped - no euphoria. | I have been shocked reading some of these posts. The recommended starting dose is 25mg and there are several people here who were started on 100mg or more. Is the USA health system messed up or what? Anyway, I'm happy - it has stopped my chronic migraines cold. And that's what I wanted it to do. Also - the side effects are gone! | F | 38 | 9 days 25mg 1X day | 12/21/2010 | 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 | migraine | I've run the gambet of side effects over the course of my three years on Topomax. The ones I still get from time to time are tingling in limbs (when I don't drink enough water), taste changes, phantom smells, random thoughts, thoughts of suicide, loss of memory (trouble concentrating...but this could be old age too), grasping for correct word (again the age thing), weight loss (loss of appetite). All of the side effects are cyclical for me and as long as I am aware that they are related to Topomax I just deal with them. The worst was getting through the first three months on the drug while I cycled down from 75mg to 50mg. I know that I am on a low dose, but getting through the side effects was REALLY difficult. My doctor told me about NONE of them. | I was getting crushing headaches for 2 weeks out of every month and getting them for 2 weeks straight. I get about 2 headaches a year now, and I can kick them with some Advil. Topomax ROCKS!!! Even with all the crazy side effects. I found this website because I'm wondering if you all are taking Topomax or the generic Topiramate. I'm on Topomax and my insurance company is MAKING me switch. I am very worried (unreasonably I'm sure) that I will have a reaction to the generic. | F | 39 | 3 years 50 1X day | 12/27/2010 | 5 | Near daily headaches | I just started this med one week ago. Doc prescribed for the headaches, I began taking one 10 mg pill at night last Friday, woke up Saturday without a headache, haven't had a headache since. I used to wake up with them and go to bed with them. The side effects are Pepsi tastes horrible, my hands/fingers are tingly/numb and I feel a little foggy, like I cannot find the words to say what I need to say... I am supposed to start taking two pills at bedtime, starting tonight... we'll see, but so far, I am very pleased with this med... :) | F | 41 | 1 weeks 10-20 1X day | 1/15/2011 | 5 | I have read all of your side effects from weight loss to numbness and tingling. yes I had them all. I went on and off this drug 3x but the headaches were so bad that I decided to try it one more time and for some reason this time it was a go. I did taper up slowly to 100mg a day 50 in am and 50 in pm. seems to work for me. still taste difference but it keeps my life going with 3 kids! good luck too all those with headaches and chiari..also helps with my back pain! | F | 40 | 2 years 50mg 2X day | 1/17/2011 | 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 | Brand Name (5 1/2 years) - weight loss, loss of appetite, dry mouth Generic (6 months) - anxiety, depression, exhaustion, significant hair loss, phantom smells (sulphur) | When I started taking this medication years ago, it was a miracle for me. I was getting several migraines per week and nothing worked, not even Dilaudid. The pain was so bad and so often that I could not function as a normal person. I started taking the Topamax and after about 6-8 weeks my migraines were down to about once a month and manageable with 800MG of Ibuprofen!! I switched to the generic when it first came out not thinking twice about it. I started to suffer with depression, anxiety, exhaustion, most of my hair fell out, shortness of breath, brain fog and I kept smelling something similair to sulphur. I didn't attribute it to the generic topamax for several months and went to see my Family Doctor several times and had many tests (all came back normal). It wasn't until I had a 6 month follow up with my Neurologist and he suggested that I try the brand name again for awhile and see if I feel better. Within a week I started to feel like a whole new person, like my old self again....and my hair eventually grew back too! | F | 38 | 6 years 50 MG 2X day | 2/14/2011 | 5 | migraine | initially had mild tingling in hands and feet, which went away after the first year. I still have some word recall problems and occasional brain fog. | I had severe migraines, up to 3 or 4 per week. I was facing disability because they were interfering with my ability to work. Topamax was a lifesaver. I was willing to put up with the word recall problems and mild brain fog because I could still function much better with that than I could with severe migraines that made me unable to do anything for days at a time. I have been able to compensate for the word recall problems and brain fog that comes and goes. I have a full-time professional position and am completing a doctoral degree. Some people absolutely cannot tolerate topamax and don't adjust to it. For me, I am grateful I was able to get through the initial weeks of adjustment without significant difficulty and be almost migraine free for the last 8 years. | F | 45 | 8 years 100 mg 1X day | 2/23/2011 | 5 | SEVERY EVERY DAY MIGRAINE | F | 40 | 3 weeks 50 1X day | 2/28/2011 Patient History | 5 | Fibromyalgia, neurological pain | Tingling in my fingers; you have to get the dosage EXACTLY RIGHT or you feel numb and it's difficult to manage. Make sure your doc works to get the lowest dose you need or you'll feel drugged out. This drug is going to decrease your hunger so make sure you are eating correctly when you are on it. | This drug is great. A lifesaver. I had such intense fibromygalgia pain I wanted to die; it did not stop night and day. I couldn't stand up, lie down, sleep without intense pain. I'd tried neurontin, lyrica, nothing helped but this. Thank god for this. | F | 31 | 2 weeks 25mg 4X day | 3/24/2011 | 5 | Migraines | Tingling in hands and feet. Hands would not be able to un-bend for a few minutes. Forgetfulness. Memory loss. Cannot come up with words. Some Weight loss. Very tired, and always tired. | I experienced migraines since I was atleast a baby. I went to a neurologist a few years ago after noticing things like Excedrin and Ibuprofen would not work. The Neurologist diagnosed me with migraines. Frequency of them were about 80 to 85% of the month. He started me on Topamax. It has worked wonders. Since the Topamax, the frequency has maybe been 1 or 2 every few months. I am currently starting the process of going of it to see if the migraines come back. I want to try to go off because I do not want to become dependent on the med. If they start to come back, I plan to go back on the Topamax. | F | 22 | 3 years 50 to 100 2X day | 3/27/2011 |