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 Date added. 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 | Migraines | I'm positive it's Topamax that causes the twitching because I was on higher doses, then lowered down to 25mg 2X a day and the twitching stopped. Recently I was upped back to 50mg 2X a day when my migraines returned since I have now completed a migraine study that I was on for a year. Just WAIT until the new drug Levadex is released to the public! I was one of the LUCKY people on the study for a year. It's an inhaled drug like an asthma inhaler with the only side effects that it tastes funny and you just rinse your mouth out after you inhale the puffer. Get this, it kicked 99% of my headaches and migraines in about 10 to 15 minutes! Yup, I am NOT kidding! I am DYING now that I can't have the inhaler until the FDA releases the medicine to the public. It's been about a month now. Give it about two years for it to hit the pharmacy at least. I have tried EVERY drug out there and there is nothing like this! NOTHING short of a shot, and torodol shots don't work as well as this inha | I say feed this drug to the dirty pigeons! | F | 47 | 5 years 50mg 2X day | 2/5/2010 | 4 | migraines | My headaches were worse at first--but i stuck with it and then they improved significantly; tingling in hands/face/heel that is painful at times (this has improved since my doctor recommended taking vitamin B and B12); hair loss (this still hasn't improved...); fatigue in first two weeks only (it wears off significantly); loss of words in the first month (that wears off); eyes burning and dry, especially when I am in the sun all day; reduced sex drive; I now hate the taste of soda; dry mouth; slight loss of appetite | Most of the side effects truly wear off, just be patient!!!! Also, this medicine has really evened out my moods. It makes me feel a lot better all the time. I have heard this is the opposite for some people (they feel angry on it). You may feel your headaches get worse at first. Just wait--they will improve. Take vitamin B with vitamin B12 if you have bad tingling. This helped me a lot to reduce the tingling. It isn't completely gone--but it has helped. Others recommend bananas. | F | 25 | 2 months | 2/3/2010 | 4 | Migraines | Tingling in hands, feet, and face; depth perception; ten percent loss in body weight - which is typical with this drug | I started having migraines about 7 months ago and after many test the diagnosed them as genetic migraines. Being a very young teenager, my neurologist was weary to put me on this drug. My mother is a pharmacist and agreed to help me titrate up on the drug. I started losing my appetite while on 25 mg and titrated up 25 mg per week. I did not experience any help with the migraines (which were an everyday thing) until about a month of taking the medicine, which I got to 100 mg a day. It still did not get rid of them completely so we decided to bump up my dose to 150 mg a day. This is when I started experiencing the tingling and numbness in my hands, feet, and face. We went down to 125 mg a day and after continuing to be on this medicine it has helped me tremendously. If suggested, I would give this medicine at least two months to work. Like any other drug, it might not be for you, but it has given me my old life back - before the migraines. | F | 17 | 4 months | 1/31/2010 | 3 | Bipolarll BPD | weight loss .. which was great. Some tingling in feet that went away in time and lost words. I couldn't find what I was trying to say sometimes.. frustrating | Topamax worked ok for me, I liked the weight loss (finally a med that helps you lose weight!) I didn't like the fact I couldn't read (focus) on it tho.. that was frustrating, as was not being able to get thoughts out fast enough. I went up to 125mg a day. Would be willing to try it again tho. | F | 45 | 2 years | 1/31/2010 | 4 | Migraines | Tingling only when exercising or upping my dose. Possible abdominal pain, brain fog, lost words, weight loss, hair loss, ear ringing | I began to use Topamax close to a year ago for severe migraines that occured 2-3 times a week that last each lasted 1-3 days each. Imitrex was used to treat them, however it didn't always take care of them. I started out on 25 mg of Topamax, moving up 25mg about 4-6 wks out, once migraines would begin to reappear. It has dramatically changed my life migraine wise, however it has been an adjustment with the loss of words, and the slower brain. I am naturally a small person 5'2" and have struggled to maintain a healthy weight as I was a healthy weight before, I lost about 8 lbs. I have tinnititis from previous ear damage, so the additional ringing can get annoying, when it is quiet in my house, sometimes it feels like I can hear Cicadas outside in the trees all day long!! I think the one thing that has bothered me the most is the hair loss. I had a thick head of hair, and this past winter due to snow storms I had to up my dose twice in a short period of time due to the pressures. Everytime I wash my hair (everyother day), I lose about a handfull of hair. I do not have any "baby" hairs growing, and my hair is just getting thinner and thinner. I feel like I am getting really down this winter, and worry about depression, which seems to be a common theme on this blog. This drug has been a lifesaver, and you have to weigh the good against the bad, I cannot bear living with these migraines again knowing how I feel now, but looking at the other options out th | F | 41 | 10 months | 1/30/2010 | 3 | migraines | In the beginning, lost some weight, major loss of words, tingling in fingers and face, got sick easily, lethargic, frequent heartburn, nothing tasted good, eye twitching, and major impact on sex drive and function. I think the weight loss experienced from this drug is because it alters your sense of taste, but it comes back at least somewhat over time. Just eating a banana every day was enough to resolve the tingling for me. | After trying about everything else commonly prescribed, I was desperate to try something else for migraines, which I was getting several times a week. In the beginning this drug was helping me. I slowly worked up to 100mg, then when that stopped working briefly went to 200mg (too much for me - I couldn't function at work) then quickly back down to 100mg. But now I am getting migraines about as frequently as when I began taking this drug. I refuse to increase the dose - this stuff is toxic. I have decided (with my Dr.) to try to wean myself off of. I want my brain, sex drive and taste buds back. I am down to 75mg/day for a few weeks then will go to 50, 25 then be done with it. I can't wait to be off this stuff completely. | F | 39 | 3 years | 1/27/2010 | 1 | migraines | permanent depression | When Topamax was relatively new I was prescribed it at the age of 14 for migraines. At first I was fine with the medication and it worked well to help prevent my migraines from occurring as frequently. About 6 months later out of the blue I attempted suicide. I at the time had no history of depression and depression does not run in my family. After the attempt I continued to have severe problems with depression despite being taken off Topamax. I have talked to my psychiatrist and she mentioned that a few of her other patients had mentioned the same problem. I am now 24 and still plagued with major depression that requires medication just for me to function. I would be very leary of this medication. | F | 24 | 6 months | 1/24/2010 | 5 | Cluster Headaches | Tingling in hands and feet, Weight loss, slight memory loss | Please don't let the horror stories scare you away from trying this drug if it's suggested. All meds have side effects. If it's not right for you, then you can always try something else. I have always had hormonal headaches and miagraines but this past Sep I started having almost daily on/off severe pain that could make a person crazy. This went on for 3 months. After lab work, CT scans, and a MRI I was diagnosed with cluster headaches. After starting this medication I have had 2 headaches that I was able to treat with advil. I don't know how I could have kept going without it, my life had come to a standstill. If the side effects are just bothersome try a lower dose. It's a powerful drug, but it can give you your life back. | F | 32 | 5 weeks | 1/21/2010 | 3 | Bipolar | Loss of appetite, tingling tongue and feet, tight stomach, gas | It appears I am one of the few males taking this med and of the few who are taking for mood disorder. The med is very new for me. I am now on 50 mg, nightly. My mood has been swinging up and down since I started the med (not good), so cannot give it a 4 yet. It could be because I am titrating down from a high dose of Risperidal and Lamictal. I can feel why this is a med you have to go up slowly on. The side effects hit you pretty quick. The loss of appetite started by day three and I was only on 25 mg. I do appreciate a medication that has taken away the zombie sugar cravings! Now seeing a box of Cap'n Crunch turns my stomach! :) I am taking a multi-vitamin, and B-complex hoping to ameliorate the cognitive disruption (however as I write this I am using the spell check. LOL). Email me if you want to know more. I have a lot of hope in this med. It would be nice to be in control of my body AND my mind, at the same time, (it has been a long time since). | M | 45 | 3 weeks | 1/21/2010 | 5 | Bipolar II | tingling in nose and lips, loss of appitite, weight loss, diarreah, stomach cramps, shortened menstrual period, trouble spelling | i've only been on topamax a little over a week, but have noticed that i am no longer a "human garbage disposal," and only eat when i am truely hungry. i've lost nearly five pounds already. my mood swings are fairly stable, with a tendency towards light mania if they swing at all. the diarreah is annoying, and i now fear passing gas in public in case of an accident. the stomach cramps are lighter than asscociatiated with normal diarreah. i have had only one period so far on the topamax, but it was very light and lasted only 3 days. usually it is heavy and lasts 7. it was also five days late, causeing a lot of concern and two negitive pregnancy tests before showing up. [by the way, topamax does cause the pill to be less effective, consider other or additional forms of birth control.] the tingling was quite annoying at first, but i hardly notice it any more. my spelling was poor to begin with, but now it is terrible. | F | 24 | 1 weeks | 1/20/2010 | 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 | 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 | 5 | headaches and twitching eyelids | weight loss impaired speech in the beginning | This has been a wonderful med for me. My headaches are gone. I have actually experienced clearer vision, and better sleep. Yes, soda tastes awful, but I needed to cut back anyway. The delayed thinking and speech went away after about a month. I take 25mg in the morning and 50mg at night that helps with daytime fogginess. | F | 42 | 9 days | 1/14/2010 | 5 | weight loss, pain | extreme weight loss, cognitive issues, blurry vision, low libido. | I love this drug! I have to say it was a Godsend. I know all of the problems people have with it-I did not not have them. However, I did have and still have some cognitive problems. I actually approached "nirvana" with topomax. I'm not crazy. I'm an engineer, an executive. It helped me see things more clearly than ever in my life. I lost over 100 lbs and more importantly it helped me think clearly, with clarity. However, I agree that I was also cloudy at times which is really bothersome and scary. But I must say the good definitely outweighs the bad. I have an excitement for life that I have not had for a long time. I take 100mg twice a day (topamirate). | M | 49 | 2 years | 1/14/2010 | 3 | Migraines | Skin itching at first, some tingling that has decreased over time, trouble finding words, takes 5 minutes for brain to get into concentration mode, takes longer getting ready in morning. These side effects would be extremely worse if I didn't just take the medication at night. I highly recommend only taking this medicine right before you go to sleep. This greatly minimizes the brain slowing effects. | Topomax has not helped with my migraines, but I have found it to be very helpful on other things. I used to have a couple of alcoholic beverages each night and now only have a couple a week, I lost the 10 pounds I have been wanting to lose for the past several years in 4 monthts without even trying because of Topomax relieving my crazy food cravings, and it has helped me have a calmer/more content demeanor about me accorinding to my husband and family. So I am going to continue taking topomax as a supplement to my bipolar medication. I found the maximum benefits for this purpose with the least side effects to be at 75mg. I highly recommend only taking this medicine right before you go to sleep. This greatly minimizes the brain slowing effects. | F | 31 | 4 months | 1/14/2010 | 4 | migraines | initial weight loss, eventually levels, tingling of the hands | different generics had completely different results. had to go on brand. mylan generic didn't work at all , | F | 40 | 6 months | 1/13/2010 | 1 | Migraines | Oh boy, where do I start? Unable to eat, I was a zombie, zoned out, confused, brain blips-I would forget how to do simple things, leg cramps, generally unwell | I can't believe I stayed on this drug for so long! I thought initially that it sort of helped the intensity of my migraines, but after 2 1/2 years finally realized they were the same! I still took the same amount of Imitrex. I really think this drug made me so stupid that it just didn't dawn on me. I lost 10 pounds right away, and I didn't need to lose anything for sure! It was awful--I made myself eat some just to stay alive--how sad is that?! I love to cook and eat, and there was no enjoyment in that anymore. Not to mention sometimes while driving, I would totally forget how to drive! Not safe with two little kids in the car! I couldn't exercise anymore, and I'm a runner! I hated that. After being off it for a while, I was able to run again and finished my first marathon this year. Take that, Topamax!!! The side effects of Topamax are extreme, and unless it's helping you in an extreme way, I would not advise this drug. You also have no libido--not good. Also, I would hate for any children to be on this--you cannot possibly do well in school on this. I couldn't even read a book--no concentration or ability to focus. I'm sure there are times when the benefits of this drug outweigh the side effects, but that's definitely not true for me. Also, I don't like being on a drug that makes me physically dependant. You could have seizures if you stop it cold turkey. I wouldn't take this drug again for a million dollars! | F | 37 | 2.5 years | 1/12/2010 | 3 | Epilepsy | Cognitive motor slowing, trouble finding words, trouble thinking, memory problems, pins and needle feeling, initial weight-loss, but you will regain this back. | Topamax is an effective anti-convulsant. However, it's hard to function normally while on this drug. The good thing is that it is mostly secreted by urine. As for it preventing migraines... HA! That's a joke... | F | 25 | 4 years | 1/11/2010 | 1 | Weight Loss | tingling in feet, hair loss, leg pain, migraines | My dr prescribed topamax to help me shed some weight gained from my antidepressant. I've not lost any weight (it has decreased my appetite, but that's not where the weight gain was coming from) and I have continued to gain weight. I'm now taking 100 mg 2x daily. I have tingling in my feet all day long (mostly in my heels) some hair loss, and I've actually started to have migraines, which I never had before. In addition, I also have knee pain at night (for example, if you asked me to bend my legs at all at night, I probably wouldn't be able to do it), and most nights my legs feel like sausages that have been overstuffed (that's the best way I can think of to describe it.) They aren't swollen but they feel as if they are. I'm scheduled to see another dr to take me off this and the original antidepressant because I just can't take all these side effects any more. I wish I had researched it more before she ratcheted up my dose so high. | F | 29 | 10 months | 1/10/2010 | 4 | Cluster headaches | Tingling in fingers, toes, heels of feet; weight loss; loss of appetite; ability to ignore cravings; constipation; extreme thirst; blurry vision; difficulty concentration; difficulty spelling at times; difficulty recalling words at times | Topamax completely took care of my cluster headaches, which were ruining my life. I started at 25 mg daily and tapered up to 100 mg over 4 weeks. However, my headaches are seasonal so I only get them in the fall and spring, so now that it is winter I am going to taper off of this drug because of the side effects. The weight loss worked for me- I lost 15 lbs (10% of my initial weight) in 4 weeks without trying. I was mildly overweight so the loss was good. Food tasted the same and I got hungry at mealtimes but I filled up VERY quickly. I am extremely thirsty on this drug, so I have been drinking up to 80 oz. water per day, which could contribute to my filling up quickly. I also noticed a decrease in cravings. I still get them sometimes but it is much easier to tell myself no. In the last couple of weeks my appetite has come back somewhat, and I've been losing more slowly. I still get tingles in my fingers and toes and my vision is blurry, especially at night, which worries me. I am a college student and the cognitive problems are making my life difficult. I can do calculus but I have a lot of trouble adding up easy numbers in my head. I take notes and look at them later and many words are misspelled. I have to read things several times to understand what's said. I have never had these kinds of problems before. Because my headaches are seasonal, dealing with the side effects for a couple of months is worth it, but I'd be careful about taking this stuff for long term migraines. | F | 21 | 6 weeks | 1/9/2010 |