TOPAMAX Reviews (TOPIRAMATE)Average Rating: 3.0 (1824 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare TOPAMAX with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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More on TOPAMAX: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR TOPAMAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 4 | migraine | mild numb and tingling sensations, appetite suppression,dizziness, fatigue at first, taste changes | Side effects have really been pretty mild for me, and when compared to the constant pain of daily migraines, the trade off for me has been worth it. The numbness and tingling sensations have been transient, only lasting 15 minutes or so at a time, I've lost maybe 5 lbs in the 2 months I've been on it so that isn't terrible either. Soda started tasting awful once I hit 75mg, but it isn't any great loss to me not to drink it. The dizziness and fatigue happened for a couple of days each time my dosage was upped then went away. I started at 25mg at night for a week, then 25mg morning and night for a week, then 50mg at night, 25mg in the morning for a week, now I'm at 50mg morning and night. I would take the mild side effects I experience any day over the severe pain I was suffering on a daily basis. This has been a little wonder drug for me. I feel like I have a life back again. | F | 37 | 2 months 50mg 2X day | 6/27/2010 | 4 | migraines | decreased appetite, weight loss, initial bouts of insomnia, word finding difficulty, mood changes, mild tingling in lips, hands and feet. | All in all, Topamax has really improved the quality of my life. I went from having several debilitating migraines a week to a couple of mild migraines a month. Sure, the beginning was a little rough...especially with the insomnia and some mood changes. But, things seemed to have leveled off and I'm back to really enjoying life. The only side effect that I still notice is decreased appetite. And I'm not complaining about this...I've lost 10 pounds of "baby weight" in two months and I feel great! Food still taste good, I'm just not hungry quite as often. | F | 31 | 2 months 100 mg 1X day | 6/26/2010 | 5 | bipolar disorder | slight emotional dulling, hair thinning | I was diagnosed as a mild case of bipolar several years ago and have really struggled with the "med-go-round". After horrible luck with a previous med I was really afraid to be put another anti convulsant. But in the end, this stuff is really, really good. My mind doesn't race, my anxiety is that of a normal person;) and I honestly feel like me again. I do feel a little dull at times, but a brisk walk or a red bull helps. My hair is thinning, but I'll just put in extensions and live with it. There's a lot of bad opinions floating around about this med, but you may be lucky like me! | F | 29 | 8 months 100 mgs 2X day | 6/25/2010 | 3 | Migraines for 30 yrs. Run in family | I have only been back on for 5 days. I am supposed to be up to 300 mg per day in a little over two weeks, but already the horrible pins and needls and the TWITCHING has started back... | Using topamax last year getting 3/4 migraines/WEEK. Dropped back to 2/3 a wk. Impressive because my migraines r HORRIBLE. Dr started me on 50 mg/day & went up. Was just at new pcp and the PA looked at the bottle I brought & wrote script sort of same way. (Been out for a while.) Wrote a 10 day supply. Didn't bother to fill. Went to new neuro & wrote new script cause he thought it was weird what she wrote & gave to me. Had to ?? him on how to take it (you know NOBODY EVER starts off taking a full dose). Started by giving 100mg PM 1st wk, 100mg PM & AM 2nd wk then 200mg PM & 100mg AM 3rd wk as full dose. WAY TOO MUCH WAY TOO FAST? Woke this AM & HEEL was acutally "ASLEEP". I don't think I have ever had THAT feeling in my life! Right eye TWITCHING again. Last time it started twitching called my old neuro when it started twitch for over 5 min/time (even vid taped it) & she said that didn't think it was connected to the topamax! MY GOSH.Do a search of topamax/twiching & see what comes up & how common it is. How on earth can a NEUROLOGIST NOT BE AWARE OF THIS? I think this is outrageous! If you ever become more well read than your doc. GET A NEW ONE! They are only as good as their education. If they don't stay up to date they are worthless. I am not saying don't do YOUR homework. I am just saying they darn sure better be doing theirs, too! Do research, ask them, if they don't know the answer, they should be willing to FIND OUT and | F | 47 | 5 days 100mg 1X day | 6/22/2010 | 4 | Migraines, chronic daily headaches | Fatigue, head twitches, memory loss and overall intelligence lowering | Wow. I came upon this site to look for another drug and I just now realized how many side effects I have that may be linked to Topamax. It's the only thing that keeps me functioning though without a daily migraine. And I have to be at work in order to pay the mortgage. I seem to take a lot higher dose than most of you. 300 mg. I take 100 in the morning and 200 at night. Everytime I try to wean back, the migraines hit me like bricks. I didn't even know for 4 years (and a 20 lb weight gain) that Topamax was the cause of my fatigue. I see the best specialist in town too. I guess he wasn't up to sharing that little side effect. I have kidney stones now (seven to be exact) after 5 years, not sure if this drug is the cause or another. I honestly can't wait until something new hits the market that works. I have tried them all over the last 20 years. | F | 42 | 5 years 300 mg 1X day | 6/17/2010 | 4 | Fibromyalgia | Word finding problems, which are part of the "Fibro Fog" caused by Fibromyalgia already, were greatly increased. Difficulty in concentrating and focusing. Initially had weight loss, which leveled off after first year on the drug. | Topamax has taken away all of the flare-ups with my fibromyalgia. I have had only one major flare-up in the past 4 years, and that was after a medical procedure. To not have the weeks-long and months-long flare-ups in my pain levels has greatly improved my quality of life. Unfortunately, the cognitive deficits have gotten so bad that I need to stop the drug because I can no longer think straight or remember things. | F | 56 | 4 years 200 mg. 2X day | 6/16/2010 | 3 | Migraines | Numbess and Tingling in hangs, arms, legs, and feet. Memory loss/mild blackout, complete loss of appetite, weight loss, taste change in food, becoming very tired and never being able to sleep at night, and slight depression. | The sad thing is, I have been taking topamax since high school and the dosage has gone from 25mg to 150mg over the years i have never really had any problems with the side effects until now. The Topamax does help control my migraines though, so hopefully these side effects arent a long term thing | F | 20 | 2 weeks 50MG 3X day | 6/13/2010 | 3 | severe migraines/TTH since age 10 | i have not really experienced any side effects yet, i dont think... i just seem to be a little more tired than usual | i have only been takin this for two weeks and took only 25 mg at bedtime for 1 week now i take 25 mg at bedtime and also in the morning. i dont think i have experienced anything from this medication yet, good or bad... i am a big time diet coke and coffee drinker and they both still taste fine to me. i do have a little tingling in my nose every now and again that lasts for maybe a few seconds and goes away, and i have sent a few text messages that made no sense on any planet. but after having suffered from migraines and tension type headaches for the last 20 years and just constantly feeling like i would like to slam my head into a brick wall, i am going to stick with this for a couple months and see what happens. a couple of my girlfriends had taken this in the past for migraines and had great results as far as the migraines tapering... i did watch them suffer through some memory problems and too much weight loss for their already tiny frames, but we shall see what happens.... | F | 30 | 2 weeks 25 mg 2X day | 6/11/2010 | 4 | migraine/cluster headache | at first I had numbness in my fingers and toes, under the eyes, and lips. tiredness (but was ok since I took it at night), loss of menstrual period, carbonated beverages taste like metal...which is ok because they're full of calories anyway! | I had never had any problems at all until all of a sudden out of the blue I got migraines and visual disturbances like nobody's business. The Dr put me on Topamax gradually, and I experienced a lot of the initial side effects that a lot of people are posting on here...but with the gradual increase mine were very manageable, and if the "tingly fingers" became too much, my Dr. didn't increase my doseage as planned, but waited until my body was ready. We worked together to find my correct dosage, and are discussing my BMI (I'm a small framed woman) because I have lost some weight on the drug. He's concerned that I need to decrease the dose now that my side effects have diminished and I haven't had a headache in a couple of months. I really feel like my Topamax experience has been successful, not "perfect" -- because it's a try-it-until-you-find-what's-right-for-you kind of drug -- and my Dr. has been very clear about managing my side effects and NOT having me on any doseage that's causing me any impaired functions. I know everyone's experience is different, but I have been pleased with how my Dr. has handled mine. I know that it's not in our plan for me to stay on Topamax, but to gradually decrease until hopefully I don't need it anymore. Good luck to those searching for help! | F | 29 | 6 months 100mg 1X day | 6/6/2010 | 1 | intractable migraines | loss of feeling in my hands, band headache, stabbing pain in my toes, chest tightening, severe abdominal pain lasting for days, slurred speech, constipation | I have horrible migraines but I'll take them back and try something alternative to get off this horrible drug! I had the worst abdominal pain in my life due to severe constipation, couldnt feel either of my hands, had chest pain, leg pain and stabbing pain in my toes. What a terrible experience! | F | 46 | 2 weeks 2X day | 6/4/2010 | 3 | Mirgarine | Horrible taste in my mouth, like metal or blood all the time! I have been so tired for months it is a nightmare. I lost 15 lbs, cant eat everything tastes so bad. Yes it worked on my headaches but i have to come off of this drug. Cant, eat, think clearly, work well etc. | F | 45 | 8 months 100mg 1X day | 6/1/2010 | 3 | depression, mood stabalizing | increased tingling (meaning pins and needles) in feet/legs/arms if i sat weird for periods of time (i became more aware of my posture to prevent it). soda=flat taste, weight= lost 15 pounds, appetite = slowed at same rate my thinking did. Had to increase prozac to fight INCREASE in depression at 200mg/topamax | Now that I'm one week off of topamax, all the prozac "figit-ness" is back full force at night now that topomax isn't there to muffle it any longer. I like having a "quieter" body from the topomax - meaning taking down the - i gotta jiggle my leg,can't stop moving motor-movements - i didn't realize i got so used to with just prozac alone. however, topomax also muffled my intellect. After discontinuing the drug 5 days ago I've noticed,coinciding with my bodies rise in activity and motion and restlessnes, which I didn't miss at all, came a rise in speed-of-thought, word-recall, anetdotes and stories. They all seem like they flow instantly from my mind to my mouth unlike the gradual softening and slowing and quieting I had experienced the past 5 months I've been on topomax 100 (about 2 months at that dose), then 200mg/day. Now off of it my old "personality" is shining thru again, and I hadn't even realized it was so gone until i started coming OFF the topomax and saw it return. A night and day difference there, really. Overall though, to be honest, I didn't really mind being slower, less funny, less energetic, because I felt more "comfortable" ... like the topomax made me ride like a cushy Cadillac (no gunning it at a green-light or fast corners can be taken!), while back to my old self again feels like a sports car (quick throttle, can turn on a dime, but the ride is rough as hell - not made for cruising and you're tired after drivi | M | 30 | 5 months 200 mg 1X day | 5/31/2010 | 2 | bad headaches, migrain family | saddness, not suicidal but loss of interest in life, crying, loss of appetite, loss of volcabulary, tingling arms and feet, severe muscle pain all over body, and HAIR LOSS! | started at lower dose that helped with headaches but did not eliminate, raised to higher dose. Relieved headaches but the side effects are too much to take. I will slowly decrease the dosage and see if I can live with the headaches. I have no emotion left but sadness, (and I have a wonderful life). | F | 59 | 6 months 60 mg 1X day | 5/31/2010 | 1 | Migraines | Panic attacks, complete loss of appetite, excessive anxiety, tingly fingers, hands, and toes, memory loss, loss for words, manic talking, more :( | I took this drug before I had my son, whom is now 10 months now, for migraines about 1 year ago for a few months and I never knew what all my symptoms were until now I started taking it again, I think now I'm a Mom and care more about myself and am more observent so I noticed my fingers, and my anxiety was just thru the roof, and driving me, and my POOR fiance and family crazy! Ive been literally FREAKING out and threatening him so much! It's been so bad! My hands have been getting SO tingly today that they HURT and I have to stop moving my hands so they dont hurt anymore, it affected me at work also. When Im at work my memory is "different" and Im lost for words, and I am the lead nurse so its weird for me to feel that way. Im a new Mom and I cant even be a Mom because my anxiety is so insane!!! All I have to say is this medicine has messed up a lot in my life!!! I am tapering off now!!! Without any Dr!! UGH! Thanks for all your tips! I didnt know it was this damaging, until I read this website!!!! | F | 23 | 2 weeks 25mg 2X day | 5/31/2010 | 1 | migraines | Terrifying drug that will someday be seen as medievally primitive. Suicidal insanity crept up on me gradually. My doc said most people take this with no ill effects. I was not clinically depressed before taking it to prevent migraines. Yet still I became so unlike myself, suicidal thoughts and full of rage, I realized I COULD NOT GET OFF IT QUICKLY ENOUGH! IF THIS IS YOU, JUST QUIT THIS DRUG NOW--DON'T WAIT--THIS IS *NOT* THE REAL YOU--YOU WILL GET TOTALLY BETTER!! | I tapered off in 2 nights--down to 5Omg on night 1, 25 on night 2, then no more Topamax. I had no seizure, but I was willing to risk it--so I just stayed home for a few days. Withdrawal is harsh--2 to 3 weeks--but trust in a sacred life force, and trust my word, you will get through. Plus, withdrawal is still a better mental zone than "on Tope." On day 2 it felt like a glass jar popped off my head--ahhh! Good! But then I had near-total insomnia for 6 days, trembling, and diarrhea (a nuisance). Suddenly then I slept for almost 3 days straight. My mood gradually returned to normal and I felt like "me" after 2 weeks, though very shaken and upset by what had happened; I felt normal and controlled at 3 weeks. Every bad moment of withdrawal, remind yourself "This is *not* the real me, I have been poisoned and am now detoxing." Have faith, love yourself :) | F | 43 | 2 months 100mg 1X day | 5/27/2010 | 3 | Bipolar-TypeII/migraines | Common words are missing from my vocabulary. Its like a hole in my thinking. This gets worse the higher the dose. At 200mg Im an idiot. After this long on the drug I now have chronic abdominal pain. | At least the migraines are gone. The costs totally outweigh any benefit beyond the 100mg dose, at least for me. At 100mg the occassional migraine sneaks in, but at least I can function. Its a balancing act. | F | 33 | 5 years 100-150 1X day | 5/25/2010 | 5 | cluster headaches | Really the only side effect I have had has been that carbonated soda's taste flat....and I needed to stop drinking those anyways. | Best thing the doctor ever did for me. I was suffering from cluster headaches for 7 years prior to taking the topamax. | F | 41 | 3 years 50 mg 1X day | 5/24/2010 | 5 | Migraines | Initially lost 20 pounds (gained it back when my thyroid slowed down). Memory loss, losing a word here and there. Not as sharp as I used to be. Inability to concentrate/focus at times. Initially had the tingling and change of taste, but that mostly has gone away. Still get some tingling every now and then. Started out at 50 mg, then was upped to 100 mg last year but backed off to 75mg as 100 mg made me really sick. | I had 4 to 5 migraines a week. This medicine pretty much saved my life. I've been on it for so long now, I'm starting to be concerned about long term side effects, as there are no real studies on it. | F | 45 | 6 years 75 mg 1X day | 5/23/2010 | 5 | Migraine | Tingling hands, feet and face, loss of appetite short term, altered taste of food short term. | Never had Migraines before a year ago when they suddenly appeared and changed my life forever. Finally prescribed Topamax and cannot live without it. If I forget to take it my day is miserable. My short term memory loss I have now is nothing compared to the cognitive impairment I was experiencing without any treatment. I would not take myself off this for anything unless assured there was something better on the market. I do suffer from days where I need more than the dosage I am on and wonder if they are getting worse and should I take more but that just brings on more tingling hands and face. I have lost weight, I do have more energy because I feel a lot better than used to. I am no longer on antidepressants, I actually have periods regularly which is strange as a 40 year old with PCOS. This seems in complete opposite to most on this site, but I love this stuff. Its not perfect, but Its so much better than where I was. | F | 40 | 1 years 100mg 2X day | 5/22/2010 | 5 | migrine | leg cramps, anxiety, trouble sleeping at night, hair loss, weight loss, memory-brain cell loss, dry skin, eye pain, severe migraine when I do get one | 6 years ago I started out with 25 mg and worked up to 100mg. The worst side effect was anxiety, it was major! I went down to 50mg. I've been on it since then and can't believe the change in my life. Just last week I went back up to 75mg, because my headaches have started to come back again. I didn't know some of my side effects were the same as what others were having. Would I still take it if I knew about all the side effects? YES-the side effects are worth the cure. Both my daughters are on it. Just go on a lesser dose when your able to. | F | 57 | 6 years 50 1X day | 5/20/2010 |