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 |
| 4 | Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy | Memory Loss, feeling of "heavy wet blanket" over head, like thoughts are hard to grasp | I've been taking Topamax 200mg, twice a day for over 10 years now and it has worked well. I recently went to the neurologist to get off of it because I only had one seizure in 1995, and from that one seizure I was diagnosed with JME, and have been on meds all my life. I want to see if I can live without Topamax, as I'd like to start a family sometime soon. Wish me luck! | F | 30 | 10 years | 9/19/2008 | 3 | Migraines | Topamax did help with my migraines , but I still got them, just not as often. This medication affects your thinking and energy level. It can also damage your eyesight and cause a lot of hair loss. I wasn’t told any of this by my neurologist. The fatigue and foggy brain were not good, but I became concerned about my eyes. I now have to wear two pairs of the strongest magnifying glasses or contacts and strong glasses to read. I read a lot, so had to quit this drug. I’m not sure it caused my sight issues, but I didn’t use any glasses before taking it. | This is the hardest drug I’ve ever withdrawn from and I’ve used many meds for a chronic pain condition over the years. I tried several times on my own- cutting down the dosage from 100 to 50, then cutting that down, but the horrendous headaches and constant sweating- lasting weeks- always had me reach for it again. I finally asked my doctor for something to help get off it and am now Topamax free. My migraines are a little more frequent, but taking Sumatriptan quickly works well. I’d suggest trying every other option before using this one. There’s a nasal inhaler now that delivers an instant dose of Triptan to where it’s needed and that stops migraines for many. | F | 55 | 10 years 50 mg | 9/14/2019 | 3 | Migraines | I was on Topamax on and off for a span of ten years. In the last bout of it, I noticed that I was losing my short term memory. I couldn't remember to do the simple daily things in life, i.e. shutting off my car before I got out.. losing my keys, ect. Since then, I have been prescribed ZONEGRAN in place of Topamax. It has been a life saver. There have been NO side effects whatsoever. | While Topamax did the job- there was a price to pay. Extreme tingling in the arms and legs, memory loss, slurring of the words, terrible word retrieval. | F | 24 | 10 years | 10/7/2009 | 3 | migraines | had bad migraines, started taking topamax, i have all the side effect as everyone. tingling in feet and hands and in face. My memory is crazy. Its hard to hold a job and some times i cant remember my name. I had botox added because it was approved by the FDA. That was a life saver. It has helped to take the extra pain that i was having when i was curled in a ball and wanting to kill myself. I was taking 2-3 showers a day just for relieve. If you can get shot, i get in forehead, neck and shoulders. | M | 46 | 10 years 200mg 1X day | 1/30/2012 | 3 | Migraines due to menopause | At first, had typical side effects--don't remember them all due to this being ages ago when I went on Topamax. I do remember almost having a head-on collision with an oncoming car due to these side effects, so be careful at first when you drive! I may have lost weight at first but like I said, it was yrs. ago when I first took this drug. I think people need to hang in there--the side effects do go away eventually. And then this will work. | Topamax was eventually the only thing that ever took my migraines away, and for a long time it worked well. Over time, I began to see why people call it "dope-a-max!" I thought I was going prematurely senile since I just couldn't think straight any more. I couldn't make words come out of my mouth when I knew in my head what I wanted to say. A lot of physical stuff began happening, such as kidney stones, which was worse that childbirth in my case. I couldn't do a thing, I was in so much pain from them. It totally ruined an entire spring/summer for me. No one in my family had ever had them, either. Long term users, I'd recommend getting off this drug. I've felt so much better since being off it, I had no idea I'd feel this great, and I've been taking Excedrin Migraine now to quell any first-feelings of a migraine coming on, and that has worked fine. So far so good, knock on wood. | F | 62 | 10 years 100mg 3X day | 7/25/2013 | 2 | Migraines | Word search problems, forgetfulness, large kidney stones, needing more over time to get the same effect (started 10 years ago at 100mg) | F | 37 | 10 years 250 | 2/22/2013 | 4 | epilepsy | at first had painful tingling, numb mouth, soda tasted like battery acid, memory loss, lost 40lbs (became skeletal thin), lost some hair, heat intolerant, peed constantly, achy, itchy skin, runny nose. Now- still thin but holding weight steady, heat intolerance, still a little 'dumber' than before =) | Once I stabilized on 500mg for about 6months all side effects pretty much vanished, it was a rough climb to get to that point but this medicine was magic to me!! I was having 3-5 tonic-clonic seizures a week and now am having only partial complex (and only 1-3 a MONTH at that) with no tonics since I hit 400mg. I'm in love with topamax and would gladly go through all the nasty side effects again for this relief. Now the only side effects I'm having from the topamax are heat intolerance and I'm a bit more stupid than I used to be (hence the nickname 'stupimax') =D | F | 27 | 9 years | 6/12/2006 | 4 | Migraines | I had persistent migraines of every type, cluster, blackouts, disabilitating. They would last for days. I was on FMLA loosing time off work. I am on a blood pressure med, beta blocker, Zomig, Topomax, Pamelor and Naproxyn. ( A couple of these meds are new) I have experienced several side effects. Numb extremeties, hands arms fingers legs feet and toes. Weight loss of 55 pounds ( I am 4'11" I got to a point I had to watch myself) I have confusion and dizzines, sever ear pressure / hearing loss, neck pain and stiffness, plus a loss for words and thoughts. Feel very disoriented at times. Struggling at my job, to perform adequately. Though through all these side effects, since starting the Topomax and increasing my dose to 100mg 2x daily, I am finally not suffering any migraines. I think I have had only one in the last 18 months. Though I have been seeking out medical help for the side effects, not even considering they could have been from Topomax until logging into this site. | F | 46 | 9 years | 6/3/2009 | 3 | daily chronic migraines | vision is messed up, brain is scrambled, i weigh 110 lbs,eye twitches,still have migraines although not "as bad".words are hard to find,feet tingle(thats SOOOO annoying!!!)i think maybe i should carry a picture book with me so when i forget things i have pix(it can be funny at times..you really have to laugh at yourself). | I started taking this about 8 or 9 years ago at the time when they were just starting to discover that it worked for migraines(before they used it as a fad diet pill). I went from 100 mg to what i am now at 400mg a day.I would have thought that i wouldn't be getting any side effects now having been on it for so long, but in reading everyones comments here i can see that maybe that is not true! For the last 1 1/2 yrs, my left eye has been twitching and i could never figure out why(dr blew it off). I have had migraines ever since i was 9 after my bike and i had a run in with the back end of a sports car head first.I still eat imitrex to help "tone' it down.It kept the migs at a point i could tolerate and when they were past that the imitrex took over. Would i rec? Prob not. | F | 49 | 9 years | 10/23/2009 | 5 | Seizures | Cognitive Effects | I don't have seizures, but if I miss a couple doses, I will have seizures. So, I have to make sure I take it as prescribed. The cognitive effects don't seem as bad anymore, or maybe I'm just used to them...I have been taking it for a long time. That's kind of scary, though, if I'm just used to the cognitive effects. I haven't had a migraine for a long time and I noticed that this medication is used for migraine prevention. That might explain my lack of migraines, which means it's effective (for me at least) in preventing migraines. That's a nice plus. | F | 37 | 8 years | 11/8/2009 | 5 | Seizures | I have been on this medication for so long now I barely notice the side effects anymore. The main side effects I had were not being able to come up with words I was thinking of and being distracted. I've gotten used to that by now though. I switched from Depakote to Topamax and lost about 50 lbs in a very short amount of time. I had gained a lot from Depakote,but foods def taste different on topamax. | I am very happy with this medication. I have been seizure free for almost 10 years and will continue on this until my dr feels ok taking me off. | F | 27 | 8 years | 10/21/2009 | 5 | Migraines | F | 21 | 8 years 50 | 10/11/2015 | 5 | Neuropathy | Initially: fatigue, somnolence, weight loss, tingling in hands, decreased libido and bad taste in my mouth. Now: A lot of trouble with memory, loss of concentration, forgetfulness, unable to think of words, still decreased libido. | I started taking this medication back around 2000 for neuropathy resulting from an injury to my brachial plexus (a large bundle of nerves that run from the spine through the neck/shoulder/arm). Though I have experienced several side effects with this medication, none have been severe enough to make me stop taking it. It has literally been a Godsend for me as it has helped tremendously with my pain. I started on 25 mg per day and have worked up to 200 mg TWICE daily (I believe that is the max dosage). I have lost quite a bit of weight while on this medication but it was intentional. I knew weight loss was a potential side effect (benefit!) so I used it along with proper diet and exercise to lose the weight. So, it has been beneficial to me in more ways than one. The only real side effects that I still really struggle with is the neurological issues such as losing my train of thought in mid conversation and the issue of decreased libido. That has been very difficult on my marriage | F | 39 | 8 years | 8/17/2008 | 5 | Bipolar 1 | Weight loss, inability to concentrate (read a book), lethargy, trouble remembering words, slurring when tired. | This drug literally saved my life. Some of the side effects wore off eventually. I have no problem reading now and have normal energy levels. The weight loss leveled off as well. I still have the occasional memory or speech problem but it's a small price to pay for the results. My mind no longer races a thousand miles per hour. This truly is a wonder drug for mood disorders--it has also worked for family and friends. Just make it through the first few months--the reward is worth it. | F | 36 | 8 years 200 MG 1X day | 3/11/2010 | 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 | 4 | Migraines | Fatigue, tingling in extremities, memory problems (mostly to do with key names, dates, addresses occurring during casual conversation. | Topamax is key to regulating my migraines. I can not go without it. However, when I get to the maximum dosage (400mg per day) it seems that I somehow grow immune to it and headache frequency increases. I have to go off of it and then start building back up on it for it to become effective again. I will say that all side effects are manageable in order to have the quality of life I have with the decreased frequency of migraines I sustain on Topamax. | F | 34 | 8 years | 10/24/2007 | 4 | severe migranes | tingling in face, feet, fingertips. kidney stones(if dont drink enough fluids), weightloss(killed my appetite), short-term memory loss, word-searching, slurred/stuttered speech, forgetfulness. | noone ever believed that i just all of a sudden became Forgetful, after taking this medicine..but it really does mess with your speech, rate-of-processing, memory, and wordsearching was crazy. yeah, its great that this med really helped my migraines (they went from 20 BAD migraines a month, to 0-2), but sometimes the mental aspect with the language difficulties was a hassle. the tingling is fine, it entertained me at times.. ha i change my dose every so often(50-75mg) and it does make a difference sometimes. i highly recommend increasing fluids, unless u enjoy kidney stones. | F | 26 | 8 years | 3/4/2008 | 4 | Pseudo Tumor Cerebri | Tingling in my hands and feet which was bad at first but now only happens in cold temperatures or cold water. Memory issues and forgetting words sometimes. Carbonated drinks are flat but I have been on this so many years I really don't notice that anymore (used to it by now). Tired. A lot. Some days if I am feeling great and am very busy and active then I am very tired the next day so I have to pace myself on this drug. The wosre side effect is lack of sweating in the heat so again, have to pace myself. Unfortunately no weight loss. | Without this I could lose my vision so I have learned to live with it. I think the key is planning ahead for more tiring activities and drinking A LOT of water daily to keep your kidneys happy. | F | 44 | 8 years 100mg | 7/8/2017 | 3 | Seizures and migraines | Weight loss, brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, insomnia, extreme joint and muscle pain, dizziness | F | 22 | 8 years 100mgx2 | 2/3/2015 | 3 | Extreme fatigue, loss of words, confusion, memory loss, weight loss, severe depression. | I have to say I have been on Topamax for at least 8 years. I originally only experienced the fatigue and loss of words which the experience of not having violent headaches far outweighed the side effects. I cannot tell you what changed in my body as the dosage has remained the same at 200 mg for years and I have not changed other meds, however, the extreme depression and weight loss and confusion, memory loss I have experienced over the last year is not worth it. I thought it was me until I did some additional research. Just be wise, and careful, because the depression can almost kill you. | F | 41 | 8 years | 11/17/2007 |