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 | Bipolar II | I had tingling in fingers and feet and face, decreased taste and lost my ability to type. All of this was tolerable however it made my moods worse. | I went straight into a mianic episode, and crashed into a depression. Even though I had been more depressed before in my life, Topamax caused me to have suicidal ideation and action and my P-doc told me to stop taking it. The thoughts were still there after stopping the drug so I ended up spending a week in the psych ward of the local hospital so that I could be monitored on a new medication. I also have to continue with partial hospitalization for 5 to 10 days. This drug did not work for me. Don't put up with severe side effects like this, they could be deadly. Talk to your doctor. There are many other drugs out there that can be just as effective. I am so far doing much better on my new medication. | F | 35 | 10 days | 7/1/2009 | 4 | Migraines/benign brain tumor | Tingling in hands and feet; social aggressiveness/lack of inhibition; feelings of regret, remorse over stupid comments/behavior; loss of visual "map" for driving--errors in driving regular routes. | I began taking Topamax after being diagnosed for a benign brain tumor. Already I had experienced years of headache patterns following a serious car accident. Topamax worked--actually works--miraculously for me in SOME ways. I have relief from headaches that have plagued me for twenty years, specifically headache pain at the base of my skull, tension headaches, and occasional migraines that had recently come back at me after years of abatement. Topamax relieved these within one week. Initially I took 25mg morning and night but had to increase within 2 weeks to 25mg morning and 50 mg at night when the lower dosage would not hold back head pain. I have been on this drug for 5 months and am committed to taking it--however, the side effects are daunting. I am a professor and I am now STUPID. This is a professional liablility, no doubt. I have some difficulty keeping my place in conversation. Additionally, what others say about spelling is true--esp difficult for teachers who write on the board. Worse than that, I am already an extrovert, and Topamax takes away some social inhibition. I have said some things in social situations that astound me and later, keep me up nights in fits of shame and remorse. I am struggling now to keep my mouth shut-- a near impossibility. Driving: at times I lose my visual "map". But I'll tell you this--I will try to stay on Topamax; I panic when I think about going back to the head pain that I lived with. TIPS FOR RELIEF: Add Z | F | 47 | 5 months | 6/24/2009 | 3 | Headaches | Numbness and tingling of hands and arms, memory and concentration loss, weight loss, kidney stones, loss of sweating, dilusions, paranoia, and fatigue | I have been on Topamax for about 2 years now. Like everyone else the hardest side effect to deal with is the stupidity I suffer from. Even carrying on the simplest of conversations is very difficult. Over time I began to suffer from some of the more extreme side effects that could become life threatening. To me it is worth it though. My doctors (primary and neurologist) tried many different meds to help elliminate my headaches with no success. I felt like I was dying. For years I suffered from migraine type headaches due to a in-operable brain cyst. The headaches would last weeks and most of the time only a few days in between episodes. That was if I got that much time between them. Sometimes it would only be a day in between them. Then my neurologist suggested Topamax. He explained the side effects very clearly to me and said that they could be very extreme. I was willing to give it a try. I could no longer bear the pain of the headaches any more. So here I am two years later I have only had 7 headaches since being put on the meds. Which is wonderful! To me the side effects no matter how severe are clearly worth it to me. If anyone suffered the kind of headaches I have, then you would agree that the side effects are a small price to pay. However if you are taking the drug for another reason then I can understand that the side effects may not be worth your risk. You have to weight your own personal benefits verses the reasons for taking the medication. As for me every side ef | F | 37 | 2 years | 6/22/2009 | 4 | migraines | memory loss, confusion, tingling, appetite loss, numbness, occasional ringing in ears | I started on 12.5 mg and could barely handle the cognitive side effects, but have gradually worked my way up to 50 mg and it's been a bit of a miracle worker. I admit that while it's strange dealing with full-body numbness and I dislike looking like a twig (went from 135 to 120 at 5'8"), it's nice to finally get rid of the headaches that have been plaguing me for months. The memory loss, confusion, and tingling were only present during the first 2-3 weeks of taking the medicine. | F | 17 | 2 months | 6/16/2009 | 1 | Chronic headaches/migraines | memory loss, lack of concentration/focus, loss of words, 'confusion' | I am a female in my mid-to-late 30's. I was on Topamax for about a year. The memory, vocabulary, concentration, focus, loss of words and 'confusion' got so bad it became a real problem at work and the rest of my life. When I started forgetting how to get home, the neuro doc took me off of it. Those problems decreased a bit, but never entirely disappeared. After weening off the medicine, the full-blown headaches/migraines returned (Topamax only moderately relieved pain). So now in addition to the pain in my head, I have the lingering sides-effects to deal with. It cost me my job. I've been off Topamax for over a year and still have not regained control of my own thought processes. Among other things, it's embarrassing because I feel stupid. I no longer understand about half of what I read, have trouble following (and remembering) conversations, habitually forget what I'm supposed to do/have done/am doing. Forget being able to follow a series of directions. I am afraid Topamax has caused permanent damage to my cognative brain functions and I have no idea what to do about it. Has anyone else experianced this problem? | F | 37 | 1 years | 6/15/2009 | 1 | BiPolar II | Mental lapses, weakness, off balance, diarhhea, weight loss, vision disturbance, severe headaches | ACIDOSIS! If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in a severe or long term manner you need to discuss them with your Dr as they can be a sign of an irreversable and potentially life threatening illness called Acidosis. Google it. God Bless those this medication has helped. | F | 48 | 6 months | 6/13/2009 | 3 | prevent migraines | tingling, minor weight loss, hair loss, cognitive issues, ringing in ears | Dr. added 25mg Topamax daily to my regular 500mg daily of Depakote ER (which was later reduced to 250mg daily). I experienced tingling, minor weight loss, hair loss, lots of cognitive issues (losing train of thought in mid-sentence, can't think of words). After the incessant ringing in the ears was driving me crazy, I asked Dr. to consider something else. Dr. changed me to 250mg daily of Keppra; didn't help ringing. I still suffer from the cognitive issues and the ringing ears! Now on 250mg daily of Depakote ER and 7.5 mg daily of Deplin (for high blood levels of homocysteine). Migraines have subsided, but probably mostly due to onset of menopause. | F | 55 | 2 years | 6/10/2009 | 3 | migraine headache | tingling in the arms, feet, and face especially upper lip area. | So far the only thing that bothers me is the tingling all the time. It's annoying. I really like the curbing of the appetite. It's been about 2.5 weeks since I am on topamax and I am sleeping better at night. | F | 46 | 2.5 weeks | 6/10/2009 | 3 | Mood Stabilizer | Tingling in hands, feet and face. Funny taste in mouth. Fatigue. Soda tastes flat. Fast Heart rate at night. Headaches. Severe Depression which leads to anger. | I can not say I am really satisfied with taking this yet I have only been on it for about 2 1/2 weeks, with all of the side effects that im experiencing its more of a project to take the topamax than anything. But im trying to give it the benefit of the doubt. My dr. says that it will really help with my moods. So far I feel it has made my mood worse. But if after a month of taking it and I do not see a change I am going to get off of it, because I won't be able to deal with the side effects anymore. My dr. has reassured me that the side effects will ease and I will see a great difference in my moods. So we'll see. | F | 22 | 3 weeks | 6/8/2009 | 5 | mood stabilizer | parastesia, difficulty word finding, poor spelling, cocky attitude if that is a side effect. | This stuff is a double edge sword. It destroyed inhibition. Crushed my ability to spell. My hands tingle. I lost abot 20 pounds a plus for me. Umm there is no magic pill but despite the negitives this stuff has been an absolute wonder drug for me. Im a drunk and beer absolutly tastes like shit and the euphoric effects are minimized. I have always let people walk all over me and now I have the courage to confront them and express myself in a correct way rather than letting things build then exploding in rage. I've tried many other meds and this has been the best thing i have been on. I will deal with poor grammer to continue to grow and experience new things and hobbies I wound have attempted before out of fear and poor self esteem. i GIVE IT 2 THUMBS UP. | M | 31 | 1 years | 6/7/2009 | 2 | Migraines | I have been on Topamax now for nine months. Yes, it stopped the headaches, but I cannot handle the side effects. The short-term memory loss is severe. It happened gradually, but now I am realizing I have a severe problem at age 52 (I was a smart lady, retired CPA, Realtor). I literally cannot remember events as short as 30 minutes ago, this is scary and I am getting off this drug. I also have fibromyalgia and the only other medication I take is Cymbalta. | F | 52 | 9 months | 6/6/2009 | 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 | 2 | loss of memory, cognitive impairment, word finding issues, mood swings would cry easy and some angry outbursts, numbness in lower legs and pain is starting in my L eye. | I was started on Topamax 12/06 at 50mg twice a day. I started to complaint about memory loss, word finding issues and cognitive impairment by 3/07. But since I suffered with migraines since I have been 12 yrs old the doctor said the side effects were worth the issues I was experiencing. As the dosage increased the side effects increased. I didn't notice them all at once but my work suffered and I tried harder and I did not get the resutls I expected. At 62 and will be 63 in August my job in on the line and I am facing going out on a disablity to see if my doctor can regulate my meds to see if Topamax and other drugs can save my mind but still control my migraines. As of today I have been on a reduced dose of Topamax for 1 week and I have had 4 migraines and I headache. Has anyone else experienced balancing Topamax with other drugs with success? Or has anyone gone out on disability because of this drug? | F | 62 | 3 years | 6/3/2009 | 2 | migraines/headaches | ANXIETY ATTACKS & CRYING ALLOT never felt like this before.. | The most diffecult side effect is the crazy anxiety feelings like im losing my mind and i need to crawl out of my own skin and run but there is noplace to get away from the feelings so ya and im a crying mess and im only on 25mg lol gota get off this stuff! asap! im only 20 yet this med makes me feel like im ganna die soon so freakn wierd! i just want my life back.. didnt work for me but it does work for some everyone is different! goodluck | F | 20 | 3 weeks | 6/1/2009 | 3 | Migraines | Tingling in fingers and feet; insomnia; shortness of breath; inability to focus; low sex drive | I have just finished my 3rd wk of 50mg and started my 2nd day of 100mgs. Just when I thought my side effects were starting to ease up, they restarted when the dosage increased. My headaches are not as freqeuent however, my hormonal migraines are not lessened. Using Maxalt for the breakthrough migraines. Have lost 10lbs so far, but still waiting for all of the magical weightloss that is promised. Was one of the side effects I was really looking forward to. Have been batteling my weight my entire life. How long does it take?? | F | 28 | 4 weeks | 5/31/2009 | 4 | Migraines | Loss appetite, carbinated drinks taste awful, change in menstrual cycle, and insomnia | Currently taking generic version of Topamax and doing a great job on relieving my migraines. I went from 9 a month to less then 1 a week. Started at 25 mg and worked up to 200 mg, once I reached 200 mg I no longer could sleep as well. Usually get about 4 hours of sleep a night. Melatonin is helping a little. Other side effects mentioned: tingling, sinus, etc went away after a few days with each increase dose. I did have to split the dose to 100 mg 2 times a day. I am thinking of changing the dose down to 150 mg and see if this still controls the migraines and allows me to sleep better. Wish me luck :) | F | 38 | 60 days | 5/30/2009 | 5 | bilateral vision loss migraine | initially: extreme tightness back of neck; considerable numbness/tingling fingertips; unbelievable mental confusion e.g. inability to retrieve words, recall affected, occassional 'disorientation', dizziness, nervousness; rapid weight loss of about 25 lbs, slight hair thinning. Now (18 mos later) have barely noticeable numbness in fingertips, and weight loss has maintained at 20 lbs, however I feel and am healthy. I still have mild problems with memory and word retrieval, recall, etc., but it's nothing like in the beginning. | At this point I consider topamax a life saver....just a bit frustrating when I "can't find that perfect word" during a conversation! If this is a trade off to my migraines, and the frightening experience of total vision loss, I am more than willing to do my best to tolerate these side effects. Every rose has its thorn as they say! | F | 61 | 18 months | 5/28/2009 | 5 | seizures | none on the Brand Topamax for nearly a year... then switched to the generic and I had immediate problems within 9 days...rapid heart beat, panic attacks, seizures and depression...have no idea why..but am going back on the brand name asap. | I tolerated this med( brand name) well....didn't have any weight loss ( darn). But also, no memory problems that I couldn't blame on age anyway..=) | F | 63 | 11 months | 5/27/2009 | 1 | Seizures | I would not recommend the generic form of Topamax (Topiramate) to anyone. I started the generic form a couple of days ago and recently started feeling shaky and like I am going to have a seizure. | I called my doctor and she called a prescription in to my pharmacy and indicated "Brand Necessary" | F | 33 | 2 days | 5/19/2009 | 4 | migrane | hairloss!!! has is anyone trying the generic form of topamax? topiramite?? I have noticed an increased in appetite? am I the exception to the rule here? everyone is talking about losing weight | F | 36 | 2 days | 5/14/2009 |