Side effects of Topamax?

Question

Anyone take Topamax?

Here is why I want to take it:
weight loss
migraine headaches (associated w/menopaus)

Here is why they prescribed it:
Hypo-mania

It's only 25 mgs.
I'm concerned about the cognitive side effects.

Answer 1

My doctor prescribed this for me as an addiction to the Lamictal that I take. After a couple of weeks of taking it I had to stop. I experienced bad vertigo and actually an increase in my hypomanic episodes. I felt crazy on it. I kept taking it because I thought my body would get used to it, but it never seemed to, and my hypomanic symptoms got worse. I didn't experience any weight loss on it, but I probably didn't take it long enough. I wasn't warned about these side effects when I started taking it, I was just told that it would help with my depression (I'm Bipolar 2). I would talk to your doctor about the side effects of it before you start taking it, but I have heard that it works well for some people, I just wasn't one of them.

Answer 2

Go to the library and look it up in the PDR [p. 2404 in 2007 ed]. Or go to WebMD.com, where you can also find info about hypomania.

There may be other medications that would be better for hypomania. But Topamax is listed as a migraine therapy agent as well as an anti-convulsant in the psych PDR.

Answer 3

I took it for about 4 months for headaches. I lost 5-10 pounds but it wasn't worth the cognitive side effects. People call it "dopomax" for a reason. I actually had to drop my comp 2 class because I couldn't think to write the papers. For me it wasn't worth it. I hope you find something that does help with your migraines though.

Answer 4

I've taken 100mg every night before bed for migraine and it helps immensely, I have no side effects

Answer 5

It helped a grea dieal with my migrains and it did help me lose weight....