TOPIRAMATE

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant that works by affecting several chemicals in the brain that help to reduce seizure activity and prevent migraine headaches from occurring. It is also effective for preventing migraine headaches.

Uses

This medication is used alone or with other medications to prevent and control seizures (Epilepsy). This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches and lessen attacks. 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).

Warnings

Do not use Topiramate if:

You are allergic to any ingredient in Topiramate
You have high blood acid levels (metabolic acidosis)
You are taking medicine that contains Metformin. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if a medicine you take contains Metformin

If any of these apply to you contact your doctor or health care provider right away.

Topiramate may cause osteoporosis (a condition in which bones can break more easily) in adults and rickets (abnormal, curved bone growth) in children. Topiramate may also slow the growth of children and may decrease the final height that children reach. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking topiramate.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

Numbness, Burning, or Tingling in the Hands or Feet
Slowed Reactions
Nervousness
Headache
Drowsiness
Weakness
Uncontrollable Shaking of a Part of the Body
Uncontrollable Eye Movements
Weight Loss
Constipation
Heartburn
Change in Ability to Taste Food
Dry Mouth
Nosebleed
Teary or Dry Eyes
Back, Muscle, Leg, or Bone Pain
Missed Menstrual Periods
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding

Tell your doctor immediately if any of the symptoms persist or worsen.

Serious side effects may include:

Blurred Vision
Loss of Vision
Double Vision
Eye Pain
Eye Redness
Worsening of Seizures
Feeling Cold, Chills, or Low Body Temperature
Difficulty Concentrating
Speech Problems, Especially Difficulty Thinking Of Specific Words
Confusion
Memory Problems
Loss Of Coordination
Pounding Or Irregular Heartbeat
Chest Pain
Shortness of Breath
Trouble Breathing
Fast, Shallow Breathing
Inability to Respond to Things Around You
Excessive Tiredness
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach Pain
Loss of Appetite
Intense Back or Side Pain
Bloody, Cloudy, or Foul-Smelling Urine
Constant Need to Urinate
Difficulty Urinating or Pain When Urinating
Fever or other Signs of Infection

Call your doctor immediately if any of these apply to you.

Precautions

Precautions

Before taking Topiramate, tell your doctor or pharmacist:

If you allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Your medical history, especially of:
- A certain eye problem (narrow angle glaucoma)
- Kidney problems (such as kidney stones)
- Liver problems
- Mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide)
- Lung/breathing problems
- A certain metabolic imbalance (metabolic acidosis)
- Long-term diarrhea
- A diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates (ketogenic diet)
- Brittle bones (osteoporosis)

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine)

-The risk of bleeding may be increased

Anticholinergics (eg, Benztropine) or Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (eg, Acetazolamide, Dichlorphenamide, Zonisamide)

-the risk of decreased sweating may be increased

Valproic acid because the risk of high blood ammonia levels or low body temperature may be increased
Pioglitazone because blood glucose control may be altered; monitor your blood sugar carefully if you use Topiramate with Pioglitazone
Hydrochlorothiazide or Metformin because they may increase the risk of Topiramate’s side effects
Carbamazepine or Hydantoins(eg, Phenytoin) because they may decrease Topiramate’s effectiveness
Amitriptyline or Lithium because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Topiramate
Cabazitaxel, Hormonal Birth Control (eg, birth control pills), or Ulipristal because their effectiveness may be decreased by Topiramate

Overdose & Brands

Call emergency hotline if someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

Severe Drowsiness
Loss of Consciousness

Available brand/s:

Epimate-50
Epitop
Topamax
Topirol 25/ Topirol 50/ Topirol 100
Topvex 25/ Topvex 50