What are some side affects from taking Topamax?

Answer 1

"Some side effects, such as fatigue, are more likely to surface with high doses of Topamax®. Others occur regardless of dosage. While many tend to disappear after the first 8 weeks of therapy, it's still important to report them to your doctor. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Topamax®.

More common side effects may include:

Abdominal pain, abnormal coordination, abnormal vision, agitation, anxiety, appetite loss, back pain, breast pain, chest pain, confusion, constipation, depression, difficulty with concentration, difficulty with memory, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, indigestion, involuntary eye movement, language problems, leg pain, loss of coordination, menstrual problems, mood problems, nausea, nervousness, rash, sinusitis, slowing of movements, sore throat, speech problems, tingling or burning sensations, tremors, upper respiratory infection, weakness, weight loss

Less common side effects may include:

Abnormal gait, abnormal menstrual bleeding, acne, aggressiveness, apathy, bladder infection, changes in taste, bloody urine, body odor, bronchitis, cough, decreased awareness, decreased mobility, decreased sensitivity, diarrhea, digestive inflammation, dry mouth, exaggerated sense of well being, eye pain, feelings of illness, feelings of unreality, fever, fluid retention, frequent urination, gas, gum inflammation, hair loss, hallucinations, headache, hearing difficulties, heart palpitations, hot flushes, hyperactivity, impotence, increased sweating, irritable bladder, joint pain, kidney stones, loss of balance, loss of consciousness, low sex drive, mood swings, muscle ache, muscle tension, muscle weakness, nosebleeds, painful or difficult urination, personality problems, pinkeye, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to touch, severe itching, shivers, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, suicidal tendencies, swelling, vaginal infection, vomiting, weight gain,

Topamax® has also been known to cause a number of very rare side effects (typically striking less than one person in a hundred). If you develop any unfamiliar problems while taking Topamax®, report them to your doctor.
When should this drug not be prescribed:

If Topamax® gives you an allergic reaction, you'll be unable to use the drug.
Special warnings about this medication

Because Topamax® sometimes causes confusion, dizziness, fatigue, and problems with machinery, or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you are certain how the drug affects you.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or if you are on hemodialysis. Your dosage of Topamax® may need adjustment. Also make sure the doctor is aware of any liver disorder you may have. Topama® must be used cautiously by individuals with impaired liver function.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication:

If Topamax® is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Topamax® with:

* Acetazolamide (Diamox)
* Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
* Dichlorphenamide (Daranide)
* Digoxin (Lanoxin)
* Phenytoin (Dilantin)
* Oral contraceptives
* Valproic acid (Depakene)

Topamax® can depress the central nervous system. Be extremely cautious about combining it with alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, and other central nervous system depressants."

A.L.

Answer 2

I've been on Paxil for about four years now and I'd have to say the worst side effect has been the loss of sexual desire and weight gain. Also, if you forget a pill or two, the dizziness sucks! You get all spacey and can't concentrate. Paxil doesn't make you more anxious, it actually helps with anxiety. At least it does me. It is actually supposed to be more for anxiety than depression. But you should explore your options and be sure to be accurate with your doctor about your symptoms/feelings. Good luck feeling better.

Answer 3

Brand name:
Topamax
Pronounced: TOW-pah-macks
Generic name: Topiramate


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Why is Topamax prescribed?


Topamax is an antiepileptic drug, prescribed to control both the mild attacks known as partial seizures and the severe tonic-clonic convulsions known as grand mal seizures. It is typically added to the treatment regimen when other drugs fail to fully control a patient's attacks.

Topamax is also prescribed for the prevention of migraine headaches (also known as prophylactic treatment). However, due to a lack of studies, it's not known whether the drug can treat acute migraine attacks.


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Most important fact about Topamax


Do not abruptly stop taking Topamax. If the drug isn't withdrawn gradually, the frequency of your seizures could increase.


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How should you take Topamax?


It is important to take Topamax exactly as prescribed. It can be taken with or without food. Avoid breaking the tablets; the medication has a bitter taste.

Topamax capsules may be swallowed whole, or the capsule may be opened and its contents sprinkled on a teaspoonful of soft food. To open the capsule, hold it so you can read the word "top" and carefully twist off the clear portion of the capsule. The drug and food mixture should be swallowed whole and not chewed. Do not store the mixture for future use.

Topamax increases your risk of developing kidney stones. To prevent this problem, be sure to take Topamax with plenty of fluids.

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store Topamax at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Protect the tablets from moisture.


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Topamax side effects


Some side effects, such as fatigue, are more likely to surface with high doses of Topamax. Others occur regardless of dosage. While many tend to disappear after the first 8 weeks of therapy, it's still important to report them to your doctor. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Topamax.


Side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, abnormal coordination, abnormal vision, agitation, anxiety, appetite loss, back pain, breast pain, chest pain, confusion, constipation, depression, difficulty with concentration, difficulty with memory, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, indigestion, language problems, leg pain, loss of coordination, menstrual problems, mood problems, nausea, nervousness, nose inflammation, rash, sinusitis, slowing of movements, sore throat, speech problems, tingling or burning sensations, tremors, weakness, weight loss
In children, the more common side effects are abnormal gait, aggressiveness, behavior problems, confusion, constipation, difficulty concentrating, difficulty with memory, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, increased muscle movement, increased saliva, injury, loss of appetite, loss of coordination, nausea, nervousness, nosebleed, pneumonia, rash, speech problems, urinary incontinence, viral infection, and weight loss.

Other, less common side effects in children include allergic reaction, digestive inflammation, increased thirst, skin disorders, slowing of movement, vaginal discharge, vision disorders, and weakened reflexes.

Topamax has also been known to cause a number of very rare side effects in adults and children (typically striking less than one person in a hundred). If you develop any unfamiliar problems while taking Topamax, report them to your doctor.

Answer 4

From personal experience, the worse side effect is feeling dazed and confused most of the time.When I was taking it, I felt so stupid, like i was in a brain fog all the time. I talked to another lady who takes it also,and she felt the same way.Also made me very anxious.
I took it for severe headaches from occipital neuralgia.

Answer 5

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