TOPAMAX Reviews (TOPIRAMATE)

Average Rating: 3.0 (1824 Ratings)

Filter Results

Compare TOPAMAX with similar:
 ANTICONVULSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

TOPAMAX  (TOPIRAMATE):  Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures (epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and decrease how often you get them. Topiramate will not treat a migraine headache once it occurs. If you get a migraine headache, treat it as directed by your doctor (such as by taking pain medication, lying down in a dark room). Topiramate is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.   FDA Approval Date: 1996-12-24 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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


RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR TOPAMAXCOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 2  Fibromyalgia All in ONE week: Negatives: Made me VERY emotional (depression), made my perioral dermatitis worse, made me very flighty and which is unusual for me, eyesight got worse. Positives: weight loss, calmed my anxiety, felt like helped somewhat with pain & tension from fibro. (maybe from having a deeper sleep?) I was only on this one week - the side effects we too much. As much as I liked losing the weight, the depression isn't worth it. I have cried nearly every day since I've taken this, have had STRANGE dreams, and have felt near crazy at times. My husband is feeling like he's on a roller coaster ride with me. It's not worth it to me to put myself in a depressed state just to see if this helps with my fibro symptoms (& added weight loss bonus). Now my husband was on very small doses years ago for his migraines and didn't have any problems that he could remember - but the doses were under 25mg a day. I was taking just 50mg a day, which doesn't seem like much either. I think it depends on the person. F 35 10 days
10/23/2007
 4  migraines tingling of extremities, memory loss, and concentration problems, loss for words a big problem, if I do not stay on a low fat diet- I could gain wieight- so the wieght loss is no big deal and I am on a high dose. I am on 325mgs b/c my migraines are a huge problem. I was on 300, and just raised about a month ago. Supposed to be temporary, we will see. I have a good Dr and I trust him. Tried all sorts of meds and nothing else worked. I have had to be hospitalized and in the ER and loss of work days ; but I got thru grad school on Topamax, just got to put yourt mind to it that you will not allow a med to get the best of you. F 48 7 years
10/21/2007
 1  migraine depression, inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of language, headache I was only on it for 7 days but I became really frighteningly depressed on the 2nd day and was always crying and thinking that the only way out of "this" (what I meant by "this" I didn't and don't know) was death. I had never felt that way before. Due to my inability to concentrate, my husband had to drive me to work, and once I got to work I couldn't really do anything. I couldn't get myself to eat or drink more than a few bites or sips of anything, mainly because I couldn't remember to lift the fork or the glass to my mouth. And the sad thing is that a stabbing pain in my temple that I had had for 3 months but that had finally gone away before my dr. started me on Topamax CAME BACK, plus I had constant dull pain all over my head, and I had my usual amount of migraines for a week (2). The only possible side effect my dr. mentioned to me was weight loss. F 51 7 days
10/21/2007
 5  Migraine Prevention for the first six months: extremities tingling, mental slowdown, feel drugged and lethargic, flat coke taste This drug saved my life. I could not function with the number of migraines I was experiencing monthly. I was prescribed Amerge and was taking 30 a month. Normal dosage should be no more than 4. I switched doctors and am grateful for Topomax. The neurologist told me if I had continued with the Amerge at that dosage I would likely have had a stroke. I can deal with the brain fog and other side effects better than the debilitating experience of a migraine. F 40 2 days
10/20/2007
 1  Migraines Soda tasted like seltzer. So tired that I had to nap every day. Complete memory loss. Sometimes I would almost feel like I had amnesia...then within 30 seconds I would realize where I was. SEVERE scalp irritation which made me become compulsive about itching and picking at my head! Drove me insane. The scalp irritation led to hair loss in patches. Migraines did not decrease what so ever. Lost over 15 pounds - which I did not have to spare so I looked like I suddenly had a severe illness. Heat exhaustion often. And I went from not having to wear deodorant to smelling like my brother did when he first went thru puberty! All in all, I went off my 100mg a day and am completely weened off now. My scalp is clearing up, I have my energy back, and I can find that word that I used to be searching blankly for in my head. Topomax wreaked havoc on my life and I will encourage my friends/family strongly against using this drug for their migraines, etc. M 39 1 days
10/19/2007
 3  Binge Eating, Bipolar II Tingling at the start of treatment. At full dosage, severe short term memory problems, word problems, cognitive ability slowing, and concentration problems. It changed my life with regards to mood swings and my social interactions. However, a year later, the cognitive effects that have occured so gradually are just not worth it. I'm now switching to Lamictin. In response to the lady with Bulimia - Topamax definitely curbs the binges (appetite), but that effect only lasted a few months at full dosage. As for purging, the only recommendation is a really great therapist. That is the emotional side of the bulimic, and cannot be dealt with through drugs. F 24 20 days
10/17/2007
 2  binge eating hair loss, fatigue, memory loss helped with my binges for a while but now they are coming back worse than ever (almost every day). my hair falls out like crazy! also, i am always tired during the day and have to have lots of caffeine to stay awake. i've also found i forget things easier. F 19 10 months
10/13/2007
 5  Migraines Not Really I have gone from Daily Migraines to maybe one per week. Fewer side effects than I was having taking daily Imitres. F 45 6 weeks
10/12/2007
 1  migraines Dis-association, depression, suicidal thoughts, crying, hopelessness, extreme fatigue, exhaustion, sleeping 15 hours a day, muscle aches, joint pain, bone pain, dizziness, flu like symptoms, respiratory congestion with cough, chest pain, lack of concentration And I only took this drug for 12 days. My doctor said it was a "miracle" drug that would keep me from having another migraine. I realized he might be right because I would be dead from this stuff. Being in a new job and trying to function on this stuff was impossible. I much prefer a migraine headache as at least I can treat that with Imitrex for relief. When you're falling apart with multiple horrible side effects that you're doing to YOURSELF..how do you treat that? I am someone who wants to lose weight all the time and will generally take "anything" to be able to do that...but I am NOT willing to take Topomax even for THAT benefit. My husband and my children didn't recognize me and worse..I didn't recognize myself. Maybe I would have gotten over these initial side effects had I continued longer, but I had way too much at risk to take that chance and suicidal thoughts were becoming stronger the longer I took it. After 48 hours cold turkey off it, I began to F 54 12 days
10/10/2007
 1  migraines tingling in hands and face, numbness and twitching in face, weight loss, depression, foods had no taste, upset stomach and nausea daily, mind fog I went from a very happy leader, life-of-the-party type person to someone who wanted to stay at home and let life pass me by. I was so depressed that I had to force myself to do just the normal everyday things like make the bed and do the laundry. My friend finally had me check deeper into the side effects and I found this to be one of them. Thank God! I honestly thought it was me. I started cutting back slowly and took my last pill two days ago. My mind is clearing up already. Bad, bad drug!! F 51 3 days
10/9/2007
 1  Epilepsy (Tonic Clonic Seizures) What side effects didn't I experience?! Weakness, tiredness, extreme confusion, difficulty concentrating, and tingling of the feet. The entire time I was on the medication I felt as if everyone was judging me because I felt like a complete idiot because I could never think of what I wanted to say. My speech has drastically changed as well as my weight. I only have lost 10 lbs. but didn't need to lose any weight in the first place. I have an irregular heartbeat thanks to Topamax, menstrual problems that I've never had before, and the most painful is the abdominal pain. My vision changes were probably the first to go that I noticed. I just thought that maybe I needed to go to the eye doctor, but it was the redness. The most annoying thing for me is the metabolic problem (hyperammonemia). I originally took Topamax to prepare my body for pregnancy because my doctor informed me that I probably wouldn't have children on that medication. So, I want to keep my options open and Topamax was my first option. Honestly, I cannot imagine a worse medication to be on because of the side effects. I even have had to take a leave from work because I'm basically no good at work. Anything that makes an individual as dumb as rocks and their doctor doesn't bother to tell them ANY of the side effects IS NOT WORTH IT! F 24 3 months
10/8/2007
Email
 2  migraine need to nap, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, tinnitus (have had before but now worse) still getting headache, am always sleepy, am only on 37 mg at night and am afraid to go any higher. F 52 7 weeks
10/7/2007
 3  nerve pain Pins and needles in feet and lips. Memory problems. Loss of appetite. Carbonated drinks disgusting. I am being weaned off of Gabapentin because of its side effects (memory loss - a friend's husband who is also on it calls it CRAFT - Can't remember a flippin' thing) and am finding that it's the same with the Topamax. As soon as somebody says something I have no idea what it just was sometimes. Pins and needles are quite bad in the feet from the Topamax so I'm really hoping that goes. The main reason, I believe, the pain clinic doc decided to switch me over was the weight gain from the Gabapentin which seemed to really bother him more than me, though I certainly was less than thrilled, but he seemed like one of those docs, and to that end I seem to have very little desire to eat anymore. Haven't weighed myself because I am somewhat in denial about what I actually weigh but I know I'm eating less. Sodapop is just foul on Topamax. I guess it's water now. F 41 14 days
10/6/2007
Email
 2  Migraines Tingling in hands and feet, nausea, constant headache, weakness, no energy, feeling stupid like drunk cant think straight, things taste funny, nothing sounds good to eat so you just dont ( I am 5'4 115 lbs normally so loosing weight for me is not a good thing) I have only been taking this drug for 5 days and have lost 3 lbs. I have to force myself to eat. I regret anything and everything I eat. Its like being in your first trimester of pregnancy. The nausea is overwhelming. I feel so stupid. I cant carry on a conversation half the time since I cannot complete a sentence. I know what I want to say I just cannot make it come out of my mouth. Its like my brain is misfiring. I have had a constant headache (moderate) since taking this medication and nothing helps. I am a big diet soda drinker and it tastes awful now and I think I am in caffine withdrawl or something :) I would so starbucks but the thought of coffee makes me want to hurl. I am going to give this drug a try for the rest of the month but if these side effects dont ease up and the headache doesnt go away I dont see the point. I only have about 3 migraines a month so its not like I am suffering on a daily basis. I do have two small children however and those few days a month I am wort F 26 5 days
10/5/2007
 4  Migraine Confusion, forgetting names (even people I know well), fatigue, tingling - especially in bottoms of feet, weight loss (20#), vivid dreams. I have had only one migraine headache and no migraine spells (numbness in hands/face, speech trouble, etc.) since starting Topamax 11 months ago. My only headache was 2 days after I forgot a dose. Before starting Topamax my 1-2 migraines a year since college had increased to 4-6 a month (perhaps a peri- menopausal thing?). I take only 25 mg/day at bedtime and came to this site looking for info on experiences with low doses (I found some entries around 6/07). My doctor was surprised this dose worked for me and that I didn't increase as directed but I don't take other meds and what I know about this one is scary. I had a bad steroid psychosis reaction years ago and am especially afraid of the mood change side effects. I asked my partner to read the side effects & watch for any ununusual signs. From reading others' experiences I am guessing higher doses would not work well for me. I am not going to take more than 25mg if I am not getting migraines. If they do come back I will pr F 46 11 months
10/4/2007
 1  Simple Seizures due to a hetertopia Tingling and slurred speech. I couldnt think of the last word of sentences for a month. My doctor told me to take more ( 400 mg a day) and the side effects would go away. Sounds dumb right? It was, i shouldnt have listened. Worst drug ever. I now take carbamazepine which is generic Tegretol. Costs me 2$ a month, where as my topamax I think was around 50$. Depakote isnt bad but Carbamazepine is cheaper. 24 7 months
10/2/2007
 1  Migraines Started weight loss, confusion, word loss, memory loss, cloudy feeling, now realizing my hair loss after reading on here. I took Topamax for about 6 months (started it 2 yrs ago in January 08). I have had pretty bad cognitive and neurological problems. It did help my headaches significantly but the side effects were not worth it. I am so frustrated everyday that I thought I would start searching some information and found this site which has made me realize I am not alone. I started having some hair loss about a year ago but thought it was because I was highlighting my hair. it is making me have second thoughts now. F 30 6 months
10/2/2007
 1  Migraines Severe memory problems. I acutally got lost a couple of times. I did not know where I was a few times. It only lasted a couple of moments, but it was very scary to me. Taste and smell (soda pop lost it's fizz). It was like my tongue had dead spots or something. I developed burning and cracking of the tongue. My dematologist said I now have Psorisis of the tongue, most likely due to Topamax. I also could not perspire. Very thirsty. My hair started falling out as soon as I started the drug. Then when I stopped taking the drug it is now falling out like I am on a chemo treatment drug or something!!! It is very, very frightening!!! I will probably have to start wearing a wig if it doesn't soon stop!! I was also diagnosed with "GLAUCOMA". My eye sight was very bad while on Topamax. I developed severe eye pain after being on the drup for 3 months. When I stopped taking it the pain got much worse. It has been 7 months since I stopped taking the drug and the pain is F 54 5 days
10/2/2007
Email
 3  Eating Disorder & Depression & Pain At first, (25 mg) only mild taste problems, and what felt like an eternal stomach ache and bloating. Over 6 weeks, up to 150 mg now, stomach ache and bloating have worsened, sleep pattern is irregular, now taking slight doses of trazadone as a sleep aid (not helping, working out alternatives with my doctor currently), as well as irritability has worsened to the point of having to look at medication for management of that as well. Other than that, weight loss (29lbs in less than 2 months), only because I no longer even remember to eat, or when it is mealtime. Thank god that my roommate remembers when it's time to eat! This drug is not for the light of heart, make sure you understand ALL of the possible effects before deciding to take it. Based on where it works in the brain and what it does, some of the more severe, but acceptable side effects, are to be expected. I have had more than one instance of completely being at a loss for words (and I am a 35 year old college grad that has worked in the PR sector for years!) M 35 5 months
9/30/2007
 2  seizures severe tingling, numbness in feet and hands. Hair falling out. Mood changes to the point where I cannot even stand myself. Inability to find the correct words (which I thought was due to my epilepsy). I have been on 300mg/day. I have tried other medications but have other side effects. I really want off the Topamax because the tingling and numbness is out of control. It is so bad I dropped a large soda in my lap at the movies because my hands were numb. I am having a difficult time even walking because half the time I can't feel my feet and when I can they are tingling or burning. I wish I had the weight loss every one else is talking about. F 34 1 years
9/27/2007

Previous Page       Next Page

BACK TO TOP