What is TOPAMAC (Topiramate)?
Topamax (topiramate) is a seizure medicine, also called an anticonvulsant. Topiramate is used to treat seizures in adults and children who are at least 2 years old.
Topamax is also used to prevent migraine headaches in adults and teenagers who are at least 12 years old. This medicine will only prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of attacks. It will not treat a headache that has already begun.
Topamax may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about TOPAMAC (Topiramate)
Seek emergency medical attention if you have a sudden change in vision and pain around or behind the eyes. These may be early signs of a serious side effect of TOPAMAC (Topiramate). Do not stop taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate) without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate) suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate).You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.Call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, hostile, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate), in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.TOPAMAC (Topiramate) can cause side effects that may impair your vision or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of TOPAMAC (Topiramate), and can also increase the risk of a seizure.Ketogenic or "ketosis" diets that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates can increase the risk of kidney stones. Avoid the use of such diets while you are taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate).
Before taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate)
Do not use TOPAMAC (Topiramate) if you are allergic to topiramate.Before taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate), tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:kidney disease or a history of kidney stones; liver disease; glaucoma;asthma, emphysema, or bronchitis; orif you have recently had surgery.FDA pregnancy category C. TOPAMAC (Topiramate) may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.You may have thoughts about suicide while taking this medication. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts during the first several months of treatment, or whenever your dose is changed.Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.TOPAMAC (Topiramate) can make birth control pills less effective. Talk with your doctor about other forms of birth control if you are trying to prevent pregnancy while taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate). It is not known whether topiramate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take TOPAMAC (Topiramate)?
Take TOPAMAC (Topiramate) exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.TOPAMAC (Topiramate) can be taken with or without food.Take the medicine with a full glass of water.The TOPAMAC (Topiramate) tablet should be swallowed whole. It has a bitter taste when chewed or broken.To make the TOPAMAC (Topiramate) capsule easier to swallow, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce, custard, ice cream, oatmeal, pudding, or yogurt. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.To be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using TOPAMAC (Topiramate). You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.Do not stop taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate) without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. You may have increased seizures if you stop taking this medicine suddenly. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Contact your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking this medicine. Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate), in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are taking a seizure medication.Drink extra fluids each day while you are taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate). This will lower your risk of having kidney stones or an electrolyte imbalance. Vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration and cause an electrolyte imbalance. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea while taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate).
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you are within six hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take extra to catch up. If you forget more than one dose, contact your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have used too much of this medicine.Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, agitation or depression, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, stomach pain, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling light-headed, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate)?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or increased seizures can occur when alcohol is combined with Topamax.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated in hot weather. Topamax can decrease sweating and increase body temperature, leading to life-threatening dehydration (especially in children). This effect can be worse if you also use: cold or allergy medicine, bladder or urinary medicine, a bronchodilator, medicine for Parkinson's disease, or medicine to treat stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome.
Ketogenic or "ketosis" diets that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates can increase the risk of kidney stones. Avoid the use of such diets while you are taking Topamax.
Topamax may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you.
Also avoid activities that could be dangerous if you have an unexpected seizure, such as swimming or climbing in high places.
Side effects of TOPAMAC (Topiramate)
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Topamax: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening mood symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- vision problems, eye pain or redness, sudden vision loss (can be permanent if not treated quickly);
- confusion, slowed thinking, memory problems, trouble concentrating, problems with speech;
- dehydration symptoms - decreased sweating, high fever, hot and dry skin;
- signs of a kidney stone - severe pain in your side or lower back, painful or difficult urination;
- signs of too much acid in your blood - irregular heartbeats, feeling tired, loss of appetite, trouble thinking, feeling short of breath; or
- signs of too much ammonia in your blood - vomiting, unexplained weakness, feeling like you might pass out.
Common Topamax side effects may include:
- numbness or tingling in your arms and legs;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
- mood problems, confusion, feeling nervous, problems with thinking or memory;
- changes in your sense of taste;
- nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, indigestion, weight loss; or
- rapid back-and-forth movements of the eyes.
What other drugs will affect TOPAMAC (Topiramate)?
Before taking TOPAMAC (Topiramate), tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon); atropine (Donnatal, and others);benztropine (Cogentin);glycopyrrolate (Robinul);hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic);methscopolamine (Pamine) or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);risperidone (Risperdal); bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);diabetes medicine you take by mouth, such as pioglitazone (Actos) or metformin (Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Glucophage, Fortamet);glaucoma medications such as acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), or dichlorphenamide (Daranide);irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), propantheline (Pro-Banthine); orother seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene).
