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Topamax

Topiramate

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User Ratings

Out of 10

Satisfaction

6.3

6.5 Effectiveness

7 Side Effects

5.9 Holistic Benefits

RateADrug users have reported 11 Topamax side effects and 3 Topamax benefits.

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Treatment Information

Description | Uses & Side Effects | Warnings

The generic name of this medication is topiramate and brand name is Topamax.

The active ingredient of this medication is topiramate.

Topamax is Manufactured by Pharmascience Inc.

It is primarily used in the prevention of migraine headaches.

Common Uses:

This medication is used to prevent migraine headaches.

Off Label Uses:

None noted currently.

Side Effects:
Hives;
Difficulty breathing;
Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat;
Sudden vision loss, pain around or behind your eyes;
Severe pain in your side or lower back, painful or difficult urination;
Nausea;
Vomiting.

Cautions / Warnings:

Not recommended in people that have:
Allergic reactions to this medication or any of its ingredients;
Asthma; emphysema; or bronchitis;
Glaucoma;
Kidney disease or a history of kidney stones;
Liver disease;
Recently undergone surgery.

Drug Interactions:
Amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon);
Atropine (Donnatal, and others);
Benztropine (Cogentin);
Glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic);
Risperidone (Risperdal);
Bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva).

View / Add User Comments (24)

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User Ratings

Comments(24)

More About This Treatment

How does your Treatment Compare?

Choose a Condition:

Show results for:

Brands	Effectiveness	Holistic Benefits	Side Effects	Number of Ratings
Excedrin Migraine Caplets	9.14	7.78	2.09	22
Excedrin Migraine Tablets	8.29	6.31	1.83	14
Imitrex	7.64	5.92	3.1	25
Topamax	6.88	5.47	5.12	25
Maxalt-MLT	6.5	4.75	2.81	10

View All	About these Scores
	Choose a condition to compare treatments based on user feedback. You can sort by Effectiveness, Holistic Benefits or Side Effects RateADrug user scores, or the number of Ratings. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Effectiveness of Topamax by Condition

Click on a condition to view RateADrug.com users ratings

Migraine

Epilepsy, Seizure & Spasm

Bipolar Disorder / Manic-Depression

Depression

Fibromyalgia

Neuralgia

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Effectiveness on "Migraine"

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of how users rate the effectiveness of their medication. Click on the various conditions to see how the effectiveness ratings change. Close

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How effective is Topamax?

Reported Changes in Health and Well-Being

Since taking Topamax, RateADrug survey participants noticed these changes in their health:

Effect on:	Much Worse	Worse	No Change	Better	Much Better
Appetite	8.9%	28.9%	40%	17.8%	4.4%
Balance/Equilibrium	2.2%	23.9%	60.9%	8.7%	4.3%
Blood Pressure	0%	6.8%	90.9%	2.3%	0%
Breathing	0%	9.3%	88.4%	2.3%	0%
Confidence	2.3%	11.4%	77.3%	6.8%	2.3%
Coordination/Motor Skills	4.4%	24.4%	60%	6.7%	4.4%
Digestion	2.2%	19.6%	73.9%	4.3%	0%
Emotional Well-being	10.9%	15.2%	54.3%	10.9%	8.7%
Energy	4.3%	39.1%	45.7%	8.7%	2.2%
Eyesight	6.8%	15.9%	72.7%	4.5%	0%
Memory	17.4%	28.3%	45.7%	6.5%	2.2%
Mental Clarity	15.6%	24.4%	46.7%	8.9%	4.4%
Pain	6.7%	15.6%	51.1%	22.2%	4.4%
Patience	6.5%	19.6%	60.9%	13%	0%
Sexual Health	4.7%	9.3%	83.7%	2.3%	0%
Skin Complexion	4.5%	6.8%	86.4%	2.3%	0%
Sleep	4.4%	20%	55.6%	20%	0%
Stress Level	4.5%	11.4%	70.5%	6.8%	6.8%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of negative or positive changes in health and well-being experienced by users for all of the categories listed. Close

Commonly Reported Topamax Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced these commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Abdominal Pain	66.7%	0%	0%	33.3%	0%
Anemia	66.7%	0%	0%	33.3%	0%
Anxiety	66.7%	25%	8.3%	0%	0%
Apathy / Indifference	66.7%	0%	33.3%	0%	0%
Blurred Vision	80%	6.7%	6.7%	6.7%	0%
Chest Heaviness / Pressure	81.6%	5.3%	7.9%	2.6%	2.6%
Concentration / Focus Problems	33.3%	0%	0%	33.3%	33.3%
Confusion	72.7%	18.2%	9.1%	0%	0%
Constipation	89.7%	6.9%	3.4%	0%	0%
Coordination / Balance Problems	60%	20%	0%	0%	20%
Dehydration / Thirst	52%	20%	16%	12%	0%
Depression	73.3%	0%	6.7%	20%	0%
Dizziness	61.4%	20.5%	11.4%	6.8%	0%
Drowsiness	66.7%	13.3%	8.9%	8.9%	2.2%
Energy Loss	66.7%	0%	33.3%	0%	0%
Fatigue	58.7%	17.4%	10.9%	8.7%	4.3%
Feeling of Warmth	82.4%	5.9%	8.8%	2.9%	0%
Hair Growth	66.7%	0%	33.3%	0%	0%
Headache	76.7%	14%	2.3%	2.3%	4.7%
Hot Flashes / Flushing	84.2%	5.3%	7.9%	2.6%	0%
Impaired Thinking / Judgment	66.7%	0%	0%	0%	33.3%
Increased Urination	83.3%	6.7%	6.7%	3.3%	0%
Insomnia	90.9%	0%	9.1%	0%	0%
Irregular Heartbeat	90.9%	9.1%	0%	0%	0%
Lethargy	50%	25%	0%	25%	0%
Mood Swings	60%	13.3%	20%	0%	6.7%
Muscle Cramping	90.9%	9.1%	0%	0%	0%
Nausea	73.8%	14.3%	7.1%	2.4%	2.4%
Sensitivity to Light	81.8%	0%	9.1%	0%	9.1%
Stomach Ache	90.9%	9.1%	0%	0%	0%
Tingling Sensations	50%	13.2%	15.8%	10.5%	10.5%
Tremors	85.7%	7.1%	3.6%	3.6%	0%
Unusual Taste in Mouth	64.7%	20.6%	8.8%	2.9%	2.9%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Less Commonly Reported Topamax Side Effects

RateADrug survey participants experienced less commonly reported side effects:

Effect on:	None	Mild	Moderate	Strong	Severe
Change in Behavior	75.7%	10.8%	8.1%	2.7%	2.7%
Change in Weight	46.2%	17.9%	20.5%	10.3%	5.1%
Concentration / Focus Problems	33.3%	23.3%	20%	13.3%	10%
Confusion	48.3%	27.6%	10.3%	10.3%	3.4%
Decrease in Blood Pressure	97.3%	2.7%	0%	0%	0%
Dehydration / Thirst	60%	0%	40%	0%	0%
Depression	63.3%	16.7%	10%	6.7%	3.3%
Dry Mouth	65.8%	13.2%	13.2%	7.9%	0%
Eye Pressure	94.6%	5.4%	0%	0%	0%
Feeling of Warmth	75%	25%	0%	0%	0%
Hair Loss	0%	0%	0%	100%	0%
Infection	66.7%	33.3%	0%	0%	0%
Irregular Heartbeat	78.6%	10.7%	3.6%	3.6%	3.6%
Language Problems	73.7%	15.8%	5.3%	2.6%	2.6%
Migraine / Chronic Daily Headaches	81.1%	10.8%	0%	5.4%	2.7%
Osteoporosis / Loss of Bone Mass	97.3%	2.7%	0%	0%	0%
Reduced Libido	90.5%	0%	0%	9.5%	0%
Sexual Dysfunction	85.7%	7.1%	3.6%	3.6%	0%
Thinning / Loss of Hair	82.5%	12.5%	5%	0%	0%
Ulcer	97.3%	2.7%	0%	0%	0%
Unusual Taste in Mouth	75%	25%	0%	0%	0%

About these Scores
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the distribution in percentages of the severity of side effects experienced by users. Scores gain significance with the number of ratings, so please share your experiences - rate your drug! Close

Episodes since taking Topamax

Since taking Topamax Rate a Drug survey participants reported these episodes:

Auto Accident	3.2%
Blindness	1.6%
Fall	4.8%

Hallucination	3.2%
Hospitalization	6.5%
Seizure	1.6%

About these Results
Out of 100% of people surveyed, these results show the percentage of users who have experienced any of these episodes while taking their medication. Close

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User Comments about Topamax

21 Jan 2013	I recently stopped taking Topamax because it ruined me in more ways than one. I went from 130 pounds (5'7") to 105 pounds in about 2 months. I couldn't eat, I always felt full. I'm in college and my school work suffered because I had a mental fog all the time. I fumbled my words all the time and couldn't remember anything. It felt like I was losing brain function at age 22. Working in a pharmacy, I've heard several people with the same problem. Be very careful with this drug. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
21 Nov 2011	I have been taking topamax for a year helped me at first and lately my migranes are overwhelming but if i didn't take topamax they would be worse. They are very strong to the point where I want to cry on a daily basis and don't know my trigger. There are a lot of side effects but the headaches are unbeareable. —Posted by Anonymous Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
17 Nov 2011	would not use it again. —Posted by sparkcat Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
05 Jul 2011	Since this prescription makes my sleepy, I take it at bedtime and it helps me with sleep since one of the side effects is drowsiness and I wake up feeling refreshed. If you are on this medication, you must take it everyday as prescribed because if you do not you will still have migraines, Now I still have small headaches but nothing compared to what i was having before the prescription....I do have a three year old and a three month old. —Posted by erikahillyard Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use
23 Jun 2011	According to my Rheumatologist, it will take some time for the med. to get into my system before I begin to see good results I have only been on it about 6 weeks. —Posted by ckk Respond Display Name: Email: (Required) Notify me of new comments Email me monthly survey results Sending... I agree to the Terms of Use