TOPAMAX Reviews (TOPIRAMATE)Average Rating: 3.0 (1824 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare TOPAMAX with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
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.) 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 |
| 1 | Migrane Prevention | I am a physician who took this medication for approximately 2 years. I am truly concerned about the potential for significant depression and mood disorder on this medication, so please be aware of this side effect and discuss this with your doctor. | Experienced a slow increase in depressive symptoms over the course of the two years I was taking this medication, eventually requiring me to give up my job. Now, after 8 weeks of being off this med (I was taking 50 mg po bid), I feel such a change in my thinking, speech, and most importantly, mood. Please do not "brush off" the potential for this drug to significantly alter your mood/act as a CNS depressant. | F | 31 | 2 years | 1/2/2007 | 1 | epilepsy | Dumb as a doornail, memory problems got worse in time, speech problems, insomnia, chronic headaches, skin discoloration, eye pain, leg cramps, pins and needles sensation in my feet, eye twitch, anxiety, depression | This drug made me so stupid I lost my job when my boss left and somebody new came in. I also sat in job interviews inable to answer questions. I would get topamax for free from my neurologist which is the ONLY reason i continued to take it. I needed an anti epilepsy drug. I begged her incessantly to help me get another one on another patient assistant program but she was very PROtopamax. she also gave me exelon for cognitive side effects which I couldn't afford to take much of so it didn't help much, also lorazapam because i had major anxiety which i ended up becoming addicted to. downward spiral ended with me leaving home state and moving home with my mother to find help. Am no weaning off topamax. TAKES FOREVER, have ringing in ears and severe joint pain. For me Topamax was pharmaceutical from hell | F | 40 | 2 years | 8/19/2007 | 1 | Migraines | severe memory loss and confusion, depression | My senior year of highschool I began getting migraines. After trying multiple medications with no success, my neurologist prescribed Topamax. I was on it for approximately two years. (75mg/day) At first, it seemed to be a Godsend, relieving my constant migraines to the point that I only had one or two every month. Then the side effects started. The biggest problem was I didn't realize they were side effects of the Topamax I was taking. First, some key background information on myself: I was a member of the Gifted and Talented program, an athlete holding school records, and drum major of the band, amongst other achievements. I rarely missed class, and was for the most part an 'A' student. Then I started failing. I barely passed my second semester classes. My parents just thought I was slacking off, as plenty of students due in their senior year. This wasn't the case. I didn't know what was going on, but I couldn't remember anything. I felt like I couldn't think. It got worse. I entered a university that fall. I failed all of my classes but one. I couldn't remember what days I had class or what those classes were, let alone what assignments were due. This continued for the rest of that school year and the next. Fall of my sophomore year I began going to counseling. My emotions were completely out of control and I was still in very poor standing grade-wise. I had to carry my schedule and a map of the campus with me wherever I went, because I couldn't remember what buildings they were in or where those buildings were. I couldn't remember what day it was. I had hardly any friends, and spent the majority of my time alone in my room, either sleeping or staring off into space. The side-effects came to their climax that winter, when I began having bouts of amnesia. I would leave the dorm to go to class, and a few minutes later I would find myself on the sidewalk, not knowing where I was going, where I was, or how I even got there. Eventually, after sitting down for a few minutes, I would be able to remember where my dorm was and find my way back. Everything ended when on the morning of a final I woke up, had a seizure, woke from that about a half hour later, and ended up in the emergency room. I don't remember most of that day. After ruling out all causes, it was decided that it must be the Topamax. When I went to see my neurologist, she said it couldn't be the Topamax, and actually tried to up my dosage. I refused, and weaned myself off of it. Now, about six months later, I am returning to my normal self. I can remember my class schedule and where everything is. My grades have improved a bit, and my social life as well. It's going to take awhile for my life to get back to normal. Thankfully my parents, family, and friends have been understanding. Two years of my life are a confused blur filled with blank sections of memory. My college career is permanately scarred, and my mind might be as well. I don't care how well this medication works, I wouldn't wish what I have suffered through upon my worst enemy. This has been cross-posted. People need to know. | F | 20 | 2 years | 7/14/2005 | 1 | bi-polar disorde | difficulty with vision,extreme difficulty concentrating and focusing,word finding problems. when I attempted to wean myself off,my concentration was totally worsened,perhaps I weaned too quickly,I did do it over a period of weeks. | F | 49 | 2 years | 10/2/2006 | 1 | headaches | Hair started to fall out. It felt like a broom. My face broke out in pimples from dry skin. My entire body, and orafices were dry as a bone. I lost 20 pounds in one month. Insomnia, lost sense of tactile stimulation, lost all libido. Lost short term,memory, word loss | I went nuts on this medication. It runined my life and many relationships. I did and said whatever I wanted with no sense of discretion, and good judgement. It was as if it turned off part of my brain that stops the pain, but right next to it is the part that gives me a filter & discretion. I hit my kids! Ran faster than my dog! It makes me cringe to think of this medicine. | F | 51 | 2 years 1X day | 12/9/2012 | 1 | Migraine Prevention | Terrible metal taste in mouth. That was the only drawback and it was awful. Even water tasted terrible. It never went away. I tried it off and on for 2 years both the real drug and generic. No luck | If not for the metal mouth I would have stayed on it. It helped prevent many migraines. I had way less migraines but could never ever get past the horrible metal taste in my mouth. It never went away. I started on a low dose then worked up to 200. I took it at bedtime. | F | 38 | 2 years 200 1X day | 10/20/2012 | 1 | Chronic Migraine | Increasing hair loss, mind confusion,increasing all over body pain similar to fibromyalgia, dizziness and disorientation, extreme tiredness yet unable to get a good continuous amount of sleep. Yeast infections starting after resuming topamax. Increased anxiety and depression even though I'm on anti-depressants. | The first time on topamax it was a wonder drug. I went from a migraine every 2-3 days to one every 5 to 6 weeks. When I got a breakthrough migraine, 2 Relpax and a couple of hours sleep and I was good as new. Then the weight loss started & I went from 164lbs to 103, dropping from a size 14 to a size 1. I looked like something from the war camps. My hair fell out in clumps and I lost control of my memory, sinking into deep depression. I was taken off Topamax & the symptoms went away including the weight loss. I got my headaches back. After a 2year break we slowly reintroduced Topamax and my headaches became manageable again. My hair started falling out within a couple of weeks. I began to lose my co-ordination and my memory. Gradually extreme pains took over every part of my body and after having scans, tests & MRI, I was told nothing was wrong. I was also having increasing Yeast infections. This time I lost my appetite, but not weight. Headaches began to reappear more frequently until now they are back every day. I have no energy and of course I'm depressed. So my doctor has started weaning me off Topamax once again, calling it a "nasty" drug. I think I'd rather fight with my non-stop headaches than cope with the side effects. At least now my husband has seen what I've been going through & has a better understanding of the problems with both the drugs and the migraines. He's never had a migraine. I've had them since I was around 6 years old. | F | 56 | 2 years 100mg 1X day | 1/20/2011 | 1 | Migrane | Migranes are gone BUT today have decided to STOP. After a year of recurring kidney infections and kidney stones with no explanation I found out today it's due to Topamax. I've also delt with depression, tingling in hands and feel and an overall feeling of just crap. Been sleeping 16+ hours a day. Funny that doc noticed until it involved one of my organs. AT 35 I should not be this sick. Oh forgot to mention the bone loss. I thought this was a fantasic drug. I lost weight and my the barfing, eye sight loosing, numbing, pounding migranes were gone. Not worth it. Now, I'm starting tests to see how much damage has been done to my kidneys. Not worth the relief. | F | 35 | 2 years 100 1X day | 1/25/2011 | 1 | Chronic Sever Migraines | tingley hands and feet numbness the shakes horrible nightmares trouble slepping paroniod suicidal..... | THIS IS THE WORST THING TO TAKE IM ONLY 15 AND I FEEL LIKE IM IN MY OWN PERSONAL HELL. IM SHAKEY AND SCARED I THINK ABOUT DYING. I CANT THINK STRAIGHT I SWARE I FEEL LIKE IM GOING INSANE. IN THE MORNING I HAVE TO DRAG MYSELF OUT OF BED. AND I STILL GET THE MIGRAINES. I CANT SLEEP IM RESTLESS. WHEN I DO FALL ASLEEP I HAVE HORRID NIGHTMARES IM TIRED ALL TIME. IVE GOTTEN EVERY POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECT BUT WHEN I GO OFF OF IT I FEEL LIKE IM HAVING WITHDRAWLS. IM TERRIFIED OF THIS DRUG! DO NOT TAKE IT, YOU WILL REGRET IT. | F | 15 | 2 years 50mg 1X day | 7/27/2010 | 1 | Frequent Migraines | LOUD ringing in my head, "numbness" in my head, trouble thinking and remembering (which was ignored because I had a head injury several years ago) - but it's worse! Tingling and muscle spasms in my extremities, kidney stones, and now ... wait for it ... WORSE MIGRAINES!!! I have had 1-2 every single day for the past 2 weeks now, and there's no end in sight. I ran out of meds a couple of months ago for 2 months so was off it completely -- I felt great and had only a couple of headaches around my period time, which is normal. | I'm going to stop taking this drug TODAY and take my life back. Don't get sucked in by doctors and drug companies -- save yourself! | F | 46 | 2 years 100 mg 2X day | 9/26/2010 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Tingling in feet (painful but went away - returned only when dose increased), forgetting specific words ("dopamax" moments), memory issues (went away), very minor sexual side effects (went away), weight loss (now maintained) loss of appetite, diarrhea | I was put on Topamax for my manic issues associated with my Bipolar disorder after Abilify failed for me. (Oh man, did that epically fail for me, AND make me balloon up!) When I first started it, I dropped weight like bricks! The side effects were very strange, however, I felt it was worth it to wait it out to try to find something to help me. My memory issues aren't really a bother because I also have neurological problems that cause the same problem, so I can't even say that it really from the medication. My "dopamax" moments only occur within two hours after taking my dose now. And yes, it IS 300mg once a day. This has been my miracle drug. The only problem I HAD was hair loss, which I found was from not eating enough. I added Selenium to my vitamins and problem solved. Now, I have a problem with constant diarrhea. This, too, is from only eating one solid meal a day. I may be physically hungry, just not mentally hungry. So now I have a timer that goes off to make sure I eat solid food at certain times during the day. | F | 30 | 1.5 years 300 1X day | 3/28/2012 | 5 | acute migraines | update on posting all side effects are gone | I have been on this for about a year and a half now and my migraines have completely stopped. My last migraine was about 9 months ago. I am convinced Topamax is my miracle drug. | F | 41 | 1.5 years | 3/19/2005 | 5 | mood stabilization | I know my 'side effects' are what others may be RX'd for, but FYI... It suppresses my appetite (which is FINE with me) and I haven't experienced a migraine since I've taken it, which -- apparently because I am peri-menopausal -- was beginning to be a monthly occurrence. | I assumed that my mental fuzziness and occasional slurred speech was a function of aging and 15 years of hard drinking, but I now realize that the increase in the last year may have been due to the Topamax. | F | 50 | 1.5 years | 10/5/2004 | 5 | Bipolar II- Rapid Cycling | Initial weight loss, cognitive impairments (memory retention), tiredness, extreme lethargy. | I'm a Bipolar II, rapid cycler, who recieved a lot of relief from this drug. That being said, I had to get through the inital phase of some mucky, adverse side effects in order to get where I am today-- enjoying the mood balancing effects this drug has given me. Everyone's different-- for some people the side effects are too extreme when first taking a drug and they automatically go off it. Most all of the side effects I experienced with topamax went away within 2-3 months. Today, I don't feel tired anymore, sleep patters have normalized, I'm not an anorexic, etc. Though cognitively.. I'm a tad less sharper (word recall) and yes.. that frustrates me. But hell.. I'm a rapid cycling bipolar, I think I'll take a stable mood over a lack of word recall any day of the week. Anyways, every body system is individual and really, you shouldn't let this post determine your med choices. Talk candidly with a doctor and do your research. You never know how (your) body is going to react. None of us | F | 23 | 1.5 years | 9/10/2008 | 5 | Migraines | Some cognitive delays early in treatment. Sleepy early in treatment. Possible loose stools due to drug. | Is anyone else having loose stools due to topamax? I am wondering if this is a common side effect I am on 250mgs a day and they seem to be getting worse. Has cured my migraines. I really cannot complain. I have noticed that as of late with a dose increase I have had some stomach issues. I had some beofre, but they are getting worse with a 50mg dose increase. | F | 30 | 1.5 years | 1/19/2010 | 4 | Severe Migraines/ Tension Headaches | still expereince pins and needles in hands and feet often but this got better after four months of use. I got stomach aches, insomnia, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, hypoglycemia, slurring speech at times and word finding difficulties. | All the side effects have gotten better except I still get fatigued sometimes for no reason, occasional pins and needles, sometimes I stutter or slur my speech and I take a quarter tablet of amytriplyline to help sleep at night (really helps) and my migraines are down to one a week on a bad week. I am currently taking 50mg a day. I used to get severe migraines 4 times a week and tension headaches everday. I didn't know how I was going to go on with my life until Topamax came along. | F | 27 | 1.5 years | 3/17/2008 | 4 | Migraines | At first tingling in fingers, toes, and nose. Now that only occurs if I forget a dose (it is actually a nice reminder.) Side affects that are still occuring: Carbonated drinks taste awful, the effects of alcohol are unknown (for example one night I can have 2 martinis and be fine the next night have the same and feel wasted. But I certainly cannot drink a lot the combination of this drug and alcohol are BAD.), sinus issues- constant runny nose and some nose bleeds, loss for words, weight loss | I have been able to deal with most of the side affects, but now the loss for words and sinus issues are really starting to get to me. I often feel really dumb when trying to articulate something. It will all be there in my head, but I will not be able to get the words out. I have to be careful around my employees because if I just start speaking quickly and not really speaking slowly the wrong words come out all together. I asked my husband the other day to start telling me everytime he noticed me having issues with this and in 2 days he must have said something at least 10 times. My goodness what do my employees and boss think of me, must think I am a total ditz! Also, I have been back and forth with the doctor about allergies and sinus issues, but I am now convinced it is the Topomax. I have tissues everywhere. On the other side of things for the 1.5 years I have been on this my migraines have significantly decreased. I went from having headaches almost every other day to | F | 26 | 1.5 years | 3/12/2007 | 4 | Migrane | Carbonation taste awful, kidney stones, during titration period experienced meoments of memory loss but after adjust this went away, feel fatigued at times, hard to concentrate, weight loss, thrist. | Up to 200 mg now, migranes are gone! Wonder medication | F | 29 | 1.5 years | 4/26/2006 | 4 | Migraine | facial twitches, recall memory trouble | eliminitated migraines in one calendar year. twitches were due to missing a dose when i could not get to the pharmacy on my refill date. If my prescription plan allowed some flexibility, that would not have happened. the memory troubles subsided in a month, but popped up again a year later. could be reaction with another medication i take for my seasonal allergies? This drug seems to fix neurological problems by re-mapping the synapses in your brain. Unfortunately, it doesn't discriminate between the synapses causing siezures, migraines, and other problems, and the ones storing memory and emotions. | F | 33 | 1.5 years | 4/27/2006 | 4 | personality disorder | rages, brief episodes of memory loss and word re-arrangement. Ill tolerence to loud noises and bright colors, pitch/tone will bother me at certain times (ie. CANNOT listen to COUNRTY or OPHRA, I will go insane}. | The above does not happen all the time. The medication has been better than the other anti's I have been on,I have also been diagnosed with temperal lobe ep., but they are very closely related and i take other meds. too that I generally do not put that down as my main problem. I take 300mgs. the max. It did take abit to get used to, I was snappy and did not know it was the med. chelle | F | 31 | 1.5 years | 5/27/2003 |