Topiramate
Why is this medication prescribed?
Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Topiramate is also used with other medications to control seizures in people who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topiramate is used to treat patients who continue to have seizures even when they take other anti-seizure medications. Topiramate is also used to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve the pain of migraine headaches when they occur. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
How should this medicine be used?
Topiramate comes as a tablet and a sprinkle capsule (capsule that contains small beads of medication that can be sprinkled on food) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day in the morning and evening. Take topiramate at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take topiramate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
There is another medication with a name similar to the brand name for topiramate. You should be sure that you receive topiramate and not the similar medication each time you fill your prescription. Be sure that the prescription your doctor gives you is clear and easy to read. Talk to your pharmacist to be sure that you are given topiramate. After you receive your medication, compare the tablets to the pictures in the manufacturer's patient information sheet. If you think you were given the wrong medication, talk to your pharmacist. Do not take any medication unless you are certain it is the medication that your doctor prescribed.
Topiramate tablets have a bitter taste so you should swallow them whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them. It is especially important that you not take topiramate tablets that have been broken for any length of time because tablets that are broken may lose their effectiveness over time.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of topiramate and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week.
Topiramate may control your seizures or migraines but will not cure your condition. Continue to take topiramate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking topiramate without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood. If you suddenly stop taking topiramate, you may have severe seizures, even if you have not had seizures in the past. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
The sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and poured over food. To take the sprinkle capsule with food, follow these steps:
Other uses for this medicine
Topiramate is also used for the management of alcohol dependence. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Topiramate may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Topiramate is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Topiramate is also used with other medications to control seizures in people who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topiramate is used to treat patients who continue to have seizures even when they take other anti-seizure medications. Topiramate is also used to prevent migraine headaches, but not to relieve the pain of migraine headaches when they occur. Topiramate is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
How should this medicine be used?
Topiramate comes as a tablet and a sprinkle capsule (capsule that contains small beads of medication that can be sprinkled on food) to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day in the morning and evening. Take topiramate at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take topiramate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
There is another medication with a name similar to the brand name for topiramate. You should be sure that you receive topiramate and not the similar medication each time you fill your prescription. Be sure that the prescription your doctor gives you is clear and easy to read. Talk to your pharmacist to be sure that you are given topiramate. After you receive your medication, compare the tablets to the pictures in the manufacturer's patient information sheet. If you think you were given the wrong medication, talk to your pharmacist. Do not take any medication unless you are certain it is the medication that your doctor prescribed.
Topiramate tablets have a bitter taste so you should swallow them whole. Do not split, chew, or crush them. It is especially important that you not take topiramate tablets that have been broken for any length of time because tablets that are broken may lose their effectiveness over time.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of topiramate and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week.
Topiramate may control your seizures or migraines but will not cure your condition. Continue to take topiramate even if you feel well. Do not stop taking topiramate without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood. If you suddenly stop taking topiramate, you may have severe seizures, even if you have not had seizures in the past. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
The sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole or opened and poured over food. To take the sprinkle capsule with food, follow these steps:
- Prepare a teaspoonful of soft food such as applesauce, custard, ice cream, oatmeal, pudding, or yogurt.
- Hold the capsule upright over the food. You should be able to read the word 'TOP' on the capsule.
- Twist off the clear part of the capsule and pour the entire contents onto the spoonful of food.
- Swallow the entire mixture immediately without chewing.
- Drink fluids right after swallowing to wash down the mixture and to be sure that you swallow all of it.
Other uses for this medicine
Topiramate is also used for the management of alcohol dependence. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Topiramate may cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- numbness, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
- slowed reactions
- difficulty concentrating
- speech problems, especially difficulty thinking of specific words
- memory problems
- lack of coordination
- confusion
- nervousness
- aggressive behavior
- irritability
- mood swings
- depression
- headache
- drowsiness
- weakness
- excessive movement
- uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- uncontrollable eye movements
- extreme thirst
- weight loss
- constipation
- diarrhea
- gas
- heartburn
- change in ability to taste food
- swelling of the tongue
- overgrowth of the gums
- dry mouth
- increased saliva
- trouble swallowing
- nosebleed
- teary or dry eyes
- back, muscle, or bone pain
- missed menstrual periods
- excessive menstrual bleeding
- skin problems or changes in skin color
- dandruff
- hair loss
- growth of hair in unusual places
- ringing in the ears
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
- swelling of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty urinating or pain when urinating
- blurred vision
- double vision
- eye pain
- worsening of seizures
- slow heart rate
- pounding or irregular heartbeat
- chest pain
- trouble breathing
- fast, shallow breathing
- inability to respond to things around you
- excessive tiredness
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- loss of appetite
- intense back or side pain
- bloody, cloudy, or foul-smelling urine
- constant need to urinate
- fever
- chills
